A review of the methods used for studies on parasitic fungi in natural plant communities

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to reconsider the methods used so Tar and to propose standardization of studies on the microparasitic fungi in natural plant communities. The method should meet the following requirements: demonstration of the relationships between the pathogen and host, application in different environmental conditions. enabling repetition of studies at different limes. giving comparable results. The object of the discussion is to search for such study procedures which give a total information about the occurrence of phytopathological fungi and their hosts in natural plant communities. This concerns, among other things. the following problems: estimation of the frequency of fungi. their distribution, the infection degree of their hosts as well as analysis of the occurrence of fungi in relation to plant distribution. The degree of plant density is an important factor determining the appearance of the disease and its evaluation should be an inseparable element in analysis of parasitism. The mycological-ecological studies, using permanent study areas seems to be indispensable. Research plots need not be literally permanent. Here, a system of permanent. precisely localized points can be used which allow each time reconstruction of areas determined carlier. The most essential element of such studies is to provide for oneself (and future researchers) repeatability of studies. i.e. return lo the same places and taking samples from the same areas.