Protogastraceae

The Protogastraceae family belongs to the group of gasteroid fungi, which under specific agroecological conditions can act as saprotrophs or weak plant parasites. In agronomic practice, members of this group are of interest in the context of mycological monitoring of soils and plant residues, as they are capable of forming fruit bodies in the root zone of crops.

The pathogen consists of fungi from the order Agaricales, characterized by a specific structure of basidiomata. Although most species of this family are soil dwellers, the development of their mycelium in the rhizosphere can inhibit the development of the root system of weakened crops, which is classified as secondary infection due to poor agricultural practices.

The main symptoms of infestation include the appearance of specific spherical or irregular-shaped fruit bodies, white, cream, or yellowish in color, on the soil surface under plant debris. At points of contact between the fungal mycelium and the roots, destruction of the epidermis and darkening of root hairs occur, leading to stunted growth of the aerial parts of the plants.

The development conditions for these fungi directly depend on the level of soil moisture and the presence of excessive amounts of undecomposed organic matter. High pH levels and poor aeration of the substrate promote active sporulation and hyphal proliferation. The optimal temperature range for their vegetation is 18–24°C with a relative humidity above 80%.

Protection measures include a set of agronomic practices aimed at improving soil structure and preventing waterlogging. These include:

• Deep autumn plowing for high-quality incorporation of plant residues.
• Regular liming of acidic soils to optimize soil biota.
• Application of balanced mineral fertilizers to reduce plant susceptibility to soil saprotrophs.
• Implementing correct crop rotation to break the cycle of fungal biomass accumulation.