In Vitro Fungicide Sensitivity of Rhizoctonia and Waitea Isolates Collected from Turfgrasses

Abstract

Different Rhizoctonia species and anastomosis groups (AGs) have been reported to show variable sensitivity to commercial fungicides. Thirty-six isolates of Rhizoctonia collected from turfgrasses were tested in vitro for sensitivity to commercial formulations of iprodione, triticonazole, and pyraclostrobin. Tested isolates represented R. solani AG 1-IB and AG 2-2IIIB; W. circinata varieties zeae (Wcz) and circinata (Wcc); and binucleate Rhizoctonia-like fungi (BNR) from different locations in Virginia and Maryland. Each fungicide was added to PDA medium to obtain concentrations at 0, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 mg a.i.·L−1 (0.00001, 0.0001, 0.001 and 0.01 oz a.i.·gal−1). A mycelium plug from each isolate was grown on these plates. The fungicide concentration needed for 50% inhibition of radial growth (EC50) was determined for each isolate by fungicide combination. Waitea circinata isolates were moderately sensitive (EC50 = 1 to 10 mg a.i.·L−1) (0.0001 to 0.001 oz a.i.·gal−1) to iprodione while isolates of R. solani and BNR were extremely sensitive (EC50 < 1 mg a.i.·L−1). Isolates of AG 2-2IIIB exhibited less sensitivity to triticonazole (mean EC50 = 1.26 mg a.i.·L−1) than AG 1-IB and W. circinata (mean EC50 = 0.2, and 0.06 mg a.i.·L−1, respectively). BNR isolates varied in inhibition of growth by triticonazole, exhibiting extreme to moderate sensitivity. Isolates of W. circinata were moderately sensitive to pyraclostrobin while most cultures of R. solani and BNR were extremely sensitive. Geographic origin of isolates had no influence on the level of fungicide sensitivity. This study demonstrates the importance of accurately identifying the Rhizoctonia pathogen causing disease symptoms on a turfgrass for choosing an effective fungicide.