Studies on the Effect Of Collembola Species Onychiurus Fimatus Gisin (Onychiuridae) and Folsomia Candida Willem (Isotomidae) on the Infection of Sugar Beet with Pythium Ultimum Trow

The investigations of the effect of Collembola species O. fimatus or F. candida on the infection of sugar beet with P. ultimum were carried out under laboratory conditions. The ability of collembolans to reduce the infestation with soil-borne plant pathogenic fungus P. ultimum was studied directly in the roots of sugar beet seedlings. The influence of Collembola on Pythium infection was assessed by comparing the xylanase and cellulase activity in the plants, which had been grown in the P. ultimum - inoculated soil with or without collembolans. Results revealed that collembola species O. fimatus and F. candida significantly reduced infection of the plant by P. ultimum.