Spatial peculiarities in the colonization of the plant rhizoplane by microscopic fungi

Spatial peculiarities in the colonization of the tomato, cucumber, and barl ey rhizoplanes by microscopic fungi were studied. The apical zone of roots was colonized with a limited number of R strategists (the order Mucorales, Fusarium sp., Aspergillus niger, and Mycelia sterilia). The fungal populati on of the root hairs and the basal zone of roots was 2- to 3-fold denser du e to the prevalence of K strategists. Fusaria, Fusarium oxysporum in partic ular, colonized roots in earlier terms than the genera Trichoderma, Penicil lium, Gliocladium, and others. The F. oxysporum population was at a maximum in the rhizoplane zone nearest the root tip.