Abstract
Root rot of groundnut caused by Macrophomina phaseolina causes significant losses in groundnut growing areas of Tamil Nadu. Hence, the present study was conducted to assess the prevalence and incidence of dry root rot of groundnut in different district of Tamil Nadu, India during 2013-14, assess the cultural characters and pathogenic variability among the isolates of M. phaseolina and to test the antifungal activity of water extracts from mangrove plants against pathogen. The results revealed that the maximum root rot incidence was observed (30.33%) in Sivapuri village of (I3) Cuddalore district. The disease incidence was more in, VRI2 variety and incidence was found to be more in sandy loam soils. Regarding the cultural characteristics revealed that the isolates I2 and I3 significantly recorded the maximum (90 mm) mycelial growth of M. phaseolina and the isolate I3 was found to be more virulent when compared to other isolates tested. Water extracts of nine mangrove plant species were screened against the root rot pathogen, M. phaseolina. Of these, Salicornia brachiata (21.33 mm), Rhizophora apiculata (23.00 mm) and Suaeda maritima (26.33 mm) were found to be highly effective against the test pathogen
Highlights
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), is an important leguminous oilseed crop, belonging to the family Fabaceae
Root rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi.) Goid. is an important pathogen of groundnut, distributed worldwide and causes considerable losses [5]
The fungus causes complex disease syndromes like charcoal rot of stem, root rot, seedling blight, foliage blight, dry rot, pod and seed rot
Summary
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), is an important leguminous oilseed crop, belonging to the family Fabaceae. Groundnut is called as the ‘king’ of oilseeds It is grown in over 100 countries with a total estimated area of 21.8 million ha and with production of 28.5 million tons. The majorities are caused by fungi and several of them are yield reducers in certain regions and seasons [4]. Of these diseases, root rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi.) Goid. Is an important pathogen of groundnut, distributed worldwide and causes considerable losses [5] This disease causes severe damage during any stage of crop growth, and yield losses over 25% have been reported [2]. The fungus causes complex disease syndromes like charcoal rot of stem, root rot, seedling blight, foliage blight, dry rot, pod and seed rot
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