A field experiment was conducted, in Germany, to evaluate the effect of shoot diseases control, and different wheat cultivars, on the root health and the natural endomycorrhiza fungus infection. The treatments were different shoot diseases control (no control; stalk diseases control; leaf diseases control; stalk and leaf diseases control) and three wheat cultivars (Sorbas, Kraka and Kanzler). The root length, the percentage of healthy roots, as well as the mycorrhizal frequency and intensity were evaluated at four wheat development stages. The chemical control of diseases initially inhibited the root growth, and later increased it, but there were no significant effects on the root health and the mycorrhizal infection. The cultivar Kanzler presented both the highest level of mycorrhiza infection and the largest percent of healthy roots, while Kraka showed the lowest values. A significant positive correlation was obtained between these two variables.
diseases control; wheat cultivars endomycorrhiza; root health
