Populations of Mycophagous Amoebae in Saskatchewan Soils

Abstract

Populations of soil amoebae that feed on conidia of Cochliobolus sativus, the causal agent of common root rot of wheat and barley, were widespread in agricultural soils in Saskatchewan. They occurred mainly in the top 15 cm of soil, but some were also present to a depth of 30 cm. The largest population occurred in the fall and the smallest in the summer. Numbers of amoebae were negatively correlated with temperature, but they were not correlated with soil moisture. Estimates were based only on those amoebae that cause large perforations.