Abstract
Rhizome rot is a serious disease affecting successful cultivation of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) in India. There are speculations on association of various fungal pathogens with turmeric rhizome rot. Therefore, this study was aimed to identify fungi associated with rhizome rot disease. A total of 51 fungal isolates were obtained from symptomatic rhizomes collected from various turmeric fields in Tamil Nadu, India. Among them, 18 morphologically different isolates were studied for their pathogenicity using turmeric variety, ‘Erode Local’ in greenhouse experiment. Eleven fungal isolates, which could cause disease symptoms with ≥30% disease severity were identified based on morphology and further confirmed by molecular approach. Fusarium solani was the predominant pathogen followed by Rhizoctonia solani, Schizophyllum commune, Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium verticillioides. Results of this present study emphasized the diversity of rhizome rot associated fungi and their pathogenicity, which could be used to develop an effective rhizome rot management strategy.
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