Fungi Associated with Root Rot of Winter Wheat in Alabama

Winter wheat plants were sampled during the spring and autumn to identify fungi associated with root rot in Alabama. Sampies were taken from 61 fields in the major wheat-producing areas of the state; 179 fungi were isolated, identified, and tested for pathogenicity. Ofthe fungi identified, 46 (26%) were Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, 37 (21%) were Cochliobolus salivus, and 55 (31%) were Fusarium species of which 37 (21%) were Fusarium oxvsporum. Other fungi identified that were pathogenic on wheat were Rhizoctonia soiani, Sclerotium rolfsii, and Fvthlum spp. G. g. var. tritici was the main pathogen associated with diseased root and lower stem tissue ofwheat in Albama.