Efficacy of benzimidazole and related fungicides against Rhizoctonia solani and R. bataticola

Five formulations of four benzimidazole derived fungicides, carbendazim, benomyl, thiophanate methyl and methyl 4-[2-(2-dimethylamino acetamide) phenyl]-3-thioallophanate were compared for their toxicity towards two pathogenic isolates of Rhizoctonia solani and three of R. bataticola. The isolates of two fungi showed significant differences in mycelial growth inhibition by the five fungicides. Benomyl and carbendazim were most inhibitory to all isolates of both fungi while the sesame isolate of R. bataticola was least sensitive to all fungicides. Disease control (90%) was obtained with low concentrations of benomyl against root rot of cowpea caused by R. solani, and with thiophanate methyl against root rot of sesame and sunflower, and leaf blight of mung bean caused by R. bataticola. The spread of stalk-end rot of sunflower heads was best checked with a spray of thiophanate methyl. The results suggest that benzimidazole fungicides having similar toxophores act differently for disease control in different host-parasite combinations.     

Differentiation of Isolates of Cotton Root Rot Pathogens Rhizoctonia solani and R. bataticola Using Pathogenicity and RAPD Markers

Twelve isolates of Rhizoctonia solani and fifteen isolates of R. bataticola causing root rot of cotton were studied for their pathogenicity and genetic diversity using RAPD markers. Pathogenicity of these isolates varied when tested on Gossypium arboreum variety RG-8. The similarity value of RAPD profiles in R. solani isolates ranged from 0.35 to 1.00 with an average of 0.67 among all the isolates and in R. bataticola it ranged from 0.27 to 1.00 with an average of 0.63 among all the isolates. Eighteen primers were used to fingerprint the individual isolates. The cluster analysis using unweighted primer group method with arithmetic average could distinguish R. solani and R. bataticola isolates into two separate fingerprint groups.     

Effects of the Plant Defence Inducer, Acibenzolar-S-Methyl, on Hypocotyl Rot of Soybean Caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG-4

The plant defence inducer, acibenzolar‐S‐methyl (ASM) was tested for its ability to protect soybean against hypocotyl rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kühn AG‐4. ASM in vitro exhibited an antifungal dose‐dependant activity in the form of reduced mycelial growth. This inhibition reached 40% in comparison with the control at a concentration of 0.5 g/l ASM in the growth media. Seed imbibition with ASM at a concentration of 0.08 g/l and 0.5 g/l significantly induced a reduction of the intensity of hypocotyl rot symptoms caused by R. solani AG‐4 that was correlated with a stimulation of chitinase activity. The protective effect of ASM against R. solani AG‐4 is probably due to the combination of induced resistance and its effect on pathogen growth. Seed treatment with ASM affected also the growth of 2‐day‐old seedlings. A dose‐dependant inhibition of the seminal root growth was observed which reached 53% at a concentration of 0.5 g/l ASM. This growth reduction of soybean was transitional and was rapidly recovered in optimal growth conditions except at 0.5 g/l of ASM.     

Interactions Between Rhizoctonia Root Rot and the Foliar Common Bean Diseases Anthracnose and Rust

The effects of co‐inoculation of Rhizoctonia solani and Colletotrichum lindemuthianum or Uromyces appendiculatus at different inoculum levels were studied on the disease dynamics and on the growth of bean plants under greenhouse conditions. Bean seeds were sown in R. solani‐infested soil. Additional experiments in which seedlings were transplanted to infested soil were also carried out. Conidial suspensions of C. lindemuthianum or uredospores of U. appendiculatus were inoculated onto leaves at plant developmental stages V2 and V3, respectively. Interactions between root rot and the aerial diseases were observed depending on the inoculum levels and on the timing of R. solani inoculation. Anthracnose severity tended to be higher on R. solani‐infected plants. Conversely, R. solani infection significantly reduced diameter of pustules and rust severity. When seedlings were transplanted to soil infested with low levels of R. solani, root rot severity and density of R. solani in the soil were magnified at high levels of C. lindemuthianum or U. appendiculatus. In these experiments, a synergistic interaction between root rot and anthracnose was observed to affect the plant dry weight. Antagonistic effects on the plant dry weight were found for the combination root rot/rust only when seeds were sown in infested soil.     

First Report of Rhizoctonia solani AG 8 on Wheat in Turkey

A survey was conducted in Ankara and Eskisehir provinces of Turkey for determining anastomosis groups and pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia species associated with root and crown rot of wheat. Pathogenicity tests revealed that Rhizoctonia solani AG 8 caused the common symptoms of damping‐off and stunting.     

Evaluation of seed dressing and soil application formulations of Trichoderma species for integrated management of dry root rot of chickpea

The efficacy of the newly developed seed dressing and soil application formulations of Trichoderma viride, T. virens and T. harzianum were evaluated individually and in combinations under pot and field experiments for the management of dry root rot (Rhizoctonia bataticola) of chickpea (Cicer arientinum). In pot experiments, T. harzianum based seed dressing formulation, Pusa 5SD, and soil application formulations, Pusa Biogranule 5 (PBG 5) and Pusa Biopellet 10G (PBP 10G), were found to be effective in reducing dry root rot incidence in chickpea and increasing the seed germination, shoot and root lengths of the crop. Under field experiments, a combination of soil application of T. harzianum based PBP 10G and seed treatment with Pusa 5SD+carboxin was found to be the best by providing the highest seed germination, shoot and root lengths and grain yield and the lowest dry root rot incidence in chickpea.     

Prevalence of wilt-root rot and their associated pathogens at reproductive phase in lentil

A survey of 116 districts of nine lentil growing states covering 603 farmers' fields revealed a range of 0.7–9.3% mean plant mortality at reproductive stages in different lentil growing states of the country. The overall mean mortality was 6.3%. The main pathogens found associated with plant mortality at this stage were Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lentis (62.0%), Rhizoctonia bataticola (25.2%) and Sclerotium rolfsii (9.8%). The minor involvement of 1.8% was that of F. solani, F. chlamydosporum. F. equisetii, and R. solani. For the first time a national scenario of lentil wilt-root rot incidence at the crucial reproductive stage and their associated pathogens is reported here.     

Dry root rot (Rhizoctonia bataticola (Taub.) Butler): an emerging disease of chickpea – where do we stand?

Dry root rot caused by Rhizoctonia bataticola (Macrophomina phaseolina) of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is gaining importance in the changed scenario of climate when growing crop is predisposed to high temperature and moisture stress. Being mainly a soil-inhabiting pathogen, many environmental and soil factors are responsible for the development of disease. No systematic research related to the biology, ecology and epidemiology of dry root rot in chickpea has been conducted so far. Research is needed to improve the identification and characterisation of variability within its epidemiological and pathological niches. Limited literature available on host plant resistance for dry root rot indicated lack of resistant sources for this disease. The present article discusses current status of the disease in the context of climate change and possible management options to alleviate the problem.     

Genetic Diversity of Thanatephorus cucumeris Infecting Tomato in Iran

The necrotrophic fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris (anamorph Rhizoctonia solani) is among the most important soil‐borne pathogens which causes tomato foot and root rot worldwide. We investigated virulence and genetic relationships among and within different taxonomic groups of R. solani from the tomato‐growing regions in the north‐east of Iran. Characterization of R. solani taxonomic groups revealed that, of 56 isolates, four were AG‐2‐1, 16 were AG‐3 PT, 21 were AG‐4 HG‐I and 15 were AG‐4 HG‐II. Because interprimer binding site (iPBS), which is based on amplification of retrotransposons, is known as novel and powerful DNA fingerprinting technology, we selected four iPBS primers, which can detect polymorphisms of tomato foot root and root rot pathogen, for investigating genotypic variability of the isolates. The iPBS analyses separated various taxonomic groups of R. solani and showed great diversity among the isolates, demonstrating that the R. solani isolates obtained from tomato were not a clonal population. Crop rotation strategies and geographic location seem to be important factors affecting genetic structure of the isolates. Pathogenicity tests on tomato cultivar ‘Mobil’ showed significant differences in the virulence of various isolates. The overall results indicated that isolates of AG‐3 and AG‐4 were more virulent than AG‐2‐1. There was no significant correlation between genetic diversity and virulence of the isolates. This is the first report of R. solani AG‐4 HG‐II, causing tomato foot and root rot. Also, our research is the first in assessment of genetic diversity in fungal populations using iPBS molecular markers.     

Rhizoctonia spp. Causing Root and Hypocotyl Rot in Phaseolus vulgaris in Cuba

Sixty isolates of Rhizoctonia spp. were obtained from Cuban bean fields during the period 2004–2007. Isolates were characterized with different techniques, including nuclei staining, pectic zymogram, PCR–RFLP analysis of the rDNA–ITS region and sequencing of the rDNA–ITS region. The majority of the isolates were identified as multinucleate Rhizoctonia solani isolates, representing two different anastomosis groups (AGs), AG 2‐2 WB and AG 4 HGI; the remaining isolates were binucleate Rhizoctonia isolates and belonged to AG F and AG A. AG 4 HGI isolates were equally distributed in all soil types; AG 2‐2 isolates were more frequently isolated from cambisols, whereas AG F isolates were related to calcisols. Pathogenicity experiments in vitro and in the greenhouse, revealed that binucleate isolates only caused root rot, whereas R. solani isolates were able to cause root rot and hypocotyl rot. Furthermore, differences in virulence level were observed between R. solani and binucleate isolates and among different AGs. Isolates of R. solani AG 4 HGI and R. solani AG 2‐2 WB were the most aggressive, binucleate isolates of AG F were intermediate aggressive, whereas a binucleate isolate of AG A was weakly aggressive. In contrast with other reports about R. solani in bean, web blight symptoms were never observed during this study.     

Use of three screening techniques for the evaluation of fungicides to control rhizoctonia root rot of wheat

Twenty fungicides were screened for their abilities to reduce the saprophytic growth of Rhizoctonia solani on agar and in soil, and to control root rot of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in pots of soil. Thirteen showed some activity against the in vitro growth of R. solani, the most promising being Sandoz 619F and flutolanil, although none of these reduced saprophytic growth of the fungus in soil. Only benomyl and thiabendazole, which were ineffective on agar and against disease in pots, reduced saprophytic growth in soil. None of the fungicides reduced the number of plants infected in the pot experiments and only six (flutriafol, diniconazole, Schering 539865, propiconazole, Bayer HWG1608 and flutolanil) of the thirteen active on agar (+ triadimefon which was not) reduced root rot severity. The results of this study indicate the differing reactions towards R. solani of chemicals in the three screening tests and confirm the potential for chemical control of rhizoctonia root rot of wheat.     

Molecular characterization of Rhizoctonia solani isolates the incitant of soybean root rot

Rhizoctonia solani isolates used in this investigation were identified as anastomosis-4 (AG-40), collected from different localities from Assiut governorate in Egypt. Pathogenicity test of seven isolates of R. solani was evaluated on soybean Giza 111 cultivar under greenhouse conditions. All tested isolates were able to infect soybean plants causing root rot with different degrees of severities, isolate No. 1, 2 and 3 showed significantly highest root rot severity, while isolate No. 5 gave the lowest percentage of root rot rating. The sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis patterns were used to compare three isolates of R. solani. There are no variations among R. solani isolates except a few exceptions according to their protein patterns. DNA markers obtained from all isolates showed genetic similarity among different isolates obtained from different geographical regions barring few exceptions. Correlation between DNA patterns of R. solani isolates and their virulence was detected, but no correlation with anastomosis groups (AG).     

Association of some plant defense enzyme activities with systemic resistance to early leaf blight and leaf spot induced in tomato plants by azoxystrobin and Pseudomonas fluorescens

Abstract

Azoxystrobin at three different concentrations, namely, 31.25, 62.50 and 125 g a.i. ha^?1 mancozeb (1 kg ha^?1) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (10 kg ha^?1) were evaluated for their efficacy in inducing defense enzymes in tomato against Alternaria solani and Septoria lycopersici. The activity of defense enzymes peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), β-1, 3 glucanase, chitinase, catalase and defense-inducing chemicals (total phenols) was found to be increased in azoxystrobin and P. fluorescens-treated tomato plants. The activity of these defense enzymes and chemicals was higher in azoxystrobin (125 g a.i. ha^?1) and P. fluorescens-treated tomato plants challenge inoculated with the pathogens compared to other treatments. Increased expression of specific isoforms of PO and PPO was also observed due to ISR induction.     

Changes in fungi with age

Summary The uptake and incorporation of l-phenylalanine and l-leucine into various cell fractions of Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium bataticola decreased with cell age. As would be expected, most of the radioactivity from the amino acids was distributed in the soluble and protein fractions. Ratios of the radioactivity in the soluble fraction to that in the protein fraction indicated that in R. solani the mechanism for protein synthesis decreased with age. However, in S. bataticola, the decrease in protein synthesis with age may be due to a decrease in permeability to the amino acids.     

Fungicidal control of damping-off and seedling root rot in Brassica species caused by Rhizoctonia solani in the growth chamber*

Eight fungicides (benodanil, carboxin, cyproconazole, fenpropimorph, fur-mecyclox, iprodione, pencycuron and tolclofos-methyl) were evaluated, under growth chamber conditions, as seed treatments against pre-emergence damping-off and post-emergence seedling root rot in six Brassica species. Five cultivars of B. rapa, four cultivars of B. juncea, four cultivars of B. napus and one cultivar/ strain from each of B. carinata, B. nigra and B. oleracea were grown in soilless mix infested with an isolate of Rhizoctonia solani AG-2-1. B. nigra and B. juncea were considerably less susceptible to R. solani than the four other species. Cyproconazole at 0.05-0.1 g a.i./kg seed and the other fungicides at 2–4 g a.i./ kg seed provided almost complete control of pre-emergence damping-off in most Brassica species and their cultivars. Their efficacy varied against the post-emergence seedling root rot. Furmecyclox, iprodione, tolclofos-methyl and pencycuron consistently gave good control of seedling root rot in all Brassica species and their cultivars. Benodanil and fenpropimorph provided moderate control, and carboxin and cyproconazole gave poor control against root rot. Efficacy of carboxin, cyproconazole, benodanil and fenopropimorph against seedling root rot varied significantly (P ≤ 0.05) among cultivars within a Brassica species.     

Effect of organic amendments on root rot of gram (Cicer arietinum L.) and their influence on plant growth

Summary Rhizoctonia root rot of gram caused byR. bataticola was significantly controlled by the amendment of soil with wheat straw, maize straw and sorghum straws. Amendment of soil with sarson straw was almost ineffective. Organic amendments with urd, mung and Trifolium straws increased the disease. It appears that perhaps a comparatively high C/N ratio of the organic amendment controls the root rot disease of gram. Evidence is also presented which suggests that certain organic amendments increase growth of gram.     

In-vitro and In-vivo management of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood and Rhizoctonia bataticola (Taub.) Butler in cotton using organic’s

Root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood and Rhizoctonia bataticola (Taub.) Butler, fungus, are very dangerous root damaging pathogens. Present study was planned to establish a chemical control of these root deteriorating pathogens under lab conditions as well as in field. Maximum death rate of nematode juveniles and minimum numbers of nematode eggs hatched were recorded in plates treated with Cadusafos (Rugby® 100G) @12 g/100 ml and Cartap® (4% G) @9g/100 ml. Chemical treatment of Rhizoctonia bataticola with Trifloxystrobin + Tebuconazole (Nativo®) @0.2 g/100 ml and Mancozeb + Matalaxyl (Axiom) @0.25 g/100 ml significantly controlled the mycelial growth in plates. The best treatments tested in laboratory were applied in field as protective and curative treatments. Results proved that chemical control of root-knot nematode and root rot fungi by tested chemicals at recommended time and dose is a significant management technique under field conditions.     

Influence of the endomycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae on the development of peanut pod rot disease in Egypt

Glomus mosseae and the two pod rot pathogens Fusarium solani and Rhizoctonia solani and subsequent effects on growth and yield of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) plants were investigated in a greenhouse over a 5-month period. At plant maturity, inoculation with F. solani and/or R. solani significantly reduced shoot and root dry weights, pegs and pod number and seed weight of peanut plants. In contrast, the growth response and biomass of peanut plants inoculated with G. mosseae was significantly higher than that of non-mycorrhizal plants, both in the presence and absence of the pathogens. Plants inoculated with G. mosseae had a lower incidence of root rot, decayed pods, and death than non-mycorrhizal ones. The pathogens either alone or in combination reduced root colonization by the mycorrhizal fungus. Propagule numbers of each pathogen isolated from pod shell, seed, carpophore, lower stem and root were significantly lower in mycorrhizal plants than in the non-mycorrhizal plants. Thus, G. mosseae protected peanut plants from infection by pod rot fungal pathogens. Accepted: 10 February 2000     

Combination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pochonia chlamydosporia for Control of Root-Infecting Fungi in Tomato

A plant growth‐promoting rhizobacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain IE‐6, and a fungal antagonist, Pochonia chlamydosporia, were tested for their ability to inhibit mycelial growth of root‐infecting fungi under laboratory conditions including Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani and Rhizoctonia solani. Biocontrol effectiveness of the bacterium and the fungus alone or in combination was also determined for the control of root‐infecting fungi under field conditions. In a dual‐culture plate assay, the colonies of P. chlamydosporia and P. aeruginosa met each other and no further growth of either organism occurred. Against M. phaseolina, F. solani and R. solani, an ethyl acetate extract of the culture filtrates of P. aeruginosa inhibited fungal growth greater than the hexane extract, but against F. oxysporum the hexane extract caused greater inhibition of fungal growth. By contrast, against M. phaseolina, F. oxysporum and F. solani, the hexane extract of P. chlamydosporia was more effective in the inhibition of fungal growth than the ethyl acetate fraction. Ethyl acetate extracts of P. aeruginosa at 1.0 mg/ml not only inhibited the radial colony growth of R. solani but also lysed the fungal mycelium. P. aeruginosa produced siderophores and hydrogen cyanide under laboratory conditions. Field experiments conducted in 1997 and repeated in 1998 revealed that Pochonia chlamydosporia and P. aeruginosa significantly suppressed the root‐infecting fungi M. phaseolina, F. oxysporum, F. solani and R. solani and that the combination of the two caused greater inhibition of the fungal pathogens than either alone. Application of P. chlamydosporia and P. aeruginosa as a soil drench also resulted in enhanced growth of tomato plants.     

Biocontrol of Rhizoctonia crown and root rot of sugar beet by binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. and Laetisaria arvalis

Two isolates of Laetisaria arvalis and 10 of binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. (BNR) from the Ohio sugar beet production area, were tested in the greenhouse and field for biocontrol of Rhizoctonia crown and root rot of sugar beet, caused by Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 2, type 2. L. arvalis was ineffective in standard greenhouse tests, and the single isolate used in the field was generally ineffective. Seven of 10 BNR isolates effectively controlled crown and root rot in greenhouse tests. Delayed application of biocontrol agents to plants 5 – 10 wk old was generally more effective than applications made at planting. A BNR isolate significantly reduced % plant loss and disease ratings and increased yield in a 1985 field test as compared with the control infested with R. solani alone. Two BNR isolates were effective in a 1986 field test and increased yields c. 22% in comparison to a L. arvalis treatment, which did not differ from the R. solani-infested control. The Ohio binucleate Rhizoctonia isolates appear to have considerable potential as applied biocontrol agents and may play a role in the natural ecology of R. solani in the sugar beet production area of Ohio.