Carbon loss and germinability, viability, and virulence of chlamydospores of Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli after exposure to soil at different pH levels, temperatures, and matric potentials

C-14-labeled chlamydospores of Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli were exposed to soil at 5, 15, 25, or 30 degrees C at pH 5 or 8 and water potential of -1 kPa or to soil at 0, -1, or -10 kPa at 25 degrees C at pH 6.9. Total carbon loss was greatest at 25 or 30 degrees C at pH 8 and -1 kPa. (CO2)-C-14 from respiration of chlamydospores and from soil microbes utilizing chlamydospore exudates accounted for the largest share of total carbon loss under all conditions. (CO2)-C-14 from soil microbial metabolism of C-14 exudates of chlamydospores was greatest in soil at 15, 25, and 30 degrees C, pH 8, and at either -1 or -10 kPa. Chlamydospore germinability in the absence of a C source (nutrient independence), viability in potato-dextrose broth, and virulence to kidney bean declined rapidly after exposure to soil at high temperatures (25 and 30 degrees C), pH 8, and the higher matric potentials (0 to -1 kPa). By contrast, germinability remained high (>50%), as did virulence, in soil at 5 degrees C and -10 kPa even after 70 days of incubation. Carbon loss was inversely correlated with germinability, viability, and virulence after exposure to soil at different pH levels, temperatures, and matric potentials.