Fusarium species from a forest nursery soil in Western Patagonia and reduction of their population by soil solarization

Native species of Fusarium were identified in a forest nursery soil in the Subantarctic Region. The species recovered were F. oxysporum, F. solani, F. equiseti, F. sambucinum, F. acuminatum and F. moniliforme. F. oxysporum wa s the most prevalent species recovered. F. solani and F. equiseti were seco ndary invaders or potential pathogens. The other species such as F. monilif orme and F. acuminatum were recovered in smaller quantities. F. sambucinum appeared restricted to this cold climatic zone because it was never recover ed in temperate areas of our country. A decrease of Fusarium population was achieved by solarization with single and double layer polyethylene film. T he treatment (with maximum temperatures as high as 51,7 degrees C) signific antly reduced the inoculum density of total population of these species.