Fungus Disease in Relation to Managing Prairie Plants With Fire

Authors

Judy F. Shearer, Department of B~tany, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Lois H. Tiffany, Department of B~tany, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Date of this Version

1989

Comments

Published in Prairie Pioneers: Ecology, History and Culture: Proceedings of the Eleventh North American Prairie Conference, August 7-11, 1988, Lincoln, Nebraska (Lincoln, NE 1989).

Abstract

Specific fungal foliar diseases were assessed on selected prairie plant species in relation to fire as a management practice on Hayden Prairie Preserve, Iowa. Selected plant species in burned and unburned areas were visually inspected and rated for presence and severity of specific fungal diseases at three sampling times in July and September 1987 and in June 1988. Less disease and lower disease severity ratings were recorded on plants in burned areas except for powdery mildew on Canada tickclover [Desmodium canadense (L.) DC.]. Increasing amounts of disease developed on plants in the areas unburned for one and two years.