In deep-bedding manure, sclerotial germinability decreased rapidly and a complete lack of germination was observed 20 days after the incorporation of the sclerotia. In a manure pile, sclerotia also lost their germinability completely inside the pile. In dry yard-manure, 73 % of the sclerotia were able to germinate after three months. It is assumed that in each case a different principal factor was responsible for the decrease of sclerotial viability. In the case of deep-bedding manure the process may be attributed to the accumulation of a high amount of free ammonia, reaching values of 1248 ppm. In manure pile the most important factor is the temperature. The high viability of sclerotia in dry yard-manure may be attributed to a lack of fermentation in such manure.
In deep-bedding manure, sclerotial germinability decreased rapidly and a complete lack of germination was observed 20 days after the incorporation of the sclerotia. In a manure pile, sclerotia also lost their germinability completely inside the pile. In dry yard-manure, 73 % of the sclerotia were able to germinate after three months. It is assumed that in each case a different principal factor was responsible for the decrease of sclerotial viability. In the case of deep-bedding manure the process may be attributed to the accumulation of a high amount of free ammonia, reaching values of 1248 ppm. In manure pile the most important factor is the temperature. The high viability of sclerotia in dry yard-manure may be attributed to a lack of fermentation in such manure.