Crop Knowledge Master Fungi

Rhizoctonia solani

Collar rot of bean
Damping-off and root rot of bean
Pod rot of bean
Web-blight of plants
Hosts Distribution Symptoms Biology Epidemiology Management Reference

TYPE: KINGDOM: Fungus

Phylum: Basidiomycota (Teleomorph or sexual stage)

(Order: Ceratobasidiales; Family: Ceratobasidiaceae)

Genus: Thanatephorus cucumeris (teleomorph)

 

Traditional: Agonomycetes (Mycelia Sterilia)

Form Genus: Rhizoctonia solani (anamorph)

 

TAXONOMY: Rhizoctonia solani frequently exists as thread-like growth on plants or in culture. Asexual spores are not produced and thus the fungus was placed in a taxonomic group with sterile mycelia only (fungal threads). Infrequently, sexual spores are observed on diseased plants. Characteristics of these spores and the structures which produce them belong to Thanatephorus cucumeris, a basidiomycete.

This fungus is a distant relative of the common edible mushroom, Agaricus.

In the past, Pellicularia filamentosa and Corticium solani were names used for this fungus.

 

DISEASE NAMES:

 

HOST:

Many plants besides bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) are attacked by this pathogen. These include alfalfa, peanut, soybean, lima bean, cucumber, papaya, eggplant, corn and many more. Farr et al. lists over 500 hosts in the United States alone.

 

DISTRIBUTION:

Common in Hawaii on all islands and throughout the world.

 

SYMPTOMS:

On bean, germinating seeds and seedlings are attacked by this pathogen. Reddish spots, which can be sunken, expand to kill the plants. Reddish-brown to brown collar rots are common on young plants. These rots inhibit normal growth and cause stunting or plants with poor vigor. Callus formation and thickening of the collar area also occurs. Root rots form at any time. Extensive root rots cause plants to decline and yields are reduced.

Pod rots are brown to greenish-brown, mostly circular, and sunken. In temperate areas such as the U.S. mainland, a rapid blight also occurs over portions of the plant during periods of high moisture. Leaves and pods are covered with fungal threads known as web blights. These web blights are less common in Hawaii.

 

 

BIOLOGY:

Rhizoctonia solani produces thread-like growth called hypha (plural, hyphae); large masses of hyphae are referred to as mycelium. The hyphae of Rhizoctonia solani

have the following characteristics: 1) some shade of brown; 2) a special type of cross wall within the hyphae, called a dolipore septum; 3) each cell is multinucleate (has many nuclei) rather than binucleate; 4) branches that are produced at right angles; 5) no asexual spores are formed by the mycelium.

In general, the growth rate of Rhizoctonia solani is very rapid and a typical isolate can grow across a 90 mm petri plate in three days. Small, oval cells produced in branched chains or clusters are formed. These are called monilioid cells and have slightly thicker walls than the mycelium. Large aggregates of these cells are called sclerotia which are black to brown and 3 to 5 mm long.

The hyphae of Rhizoctonia solani have many nuclei (commonly 4 to 8) per cell. This distinguishes it from similar fungi that have only 2 nuclei per cell. Those fungi with hyphal characteristics similar to Rhizoctonia solani, but with only 2 nuclei per cell, are called binucleate types and are generally non-pathogenic. These Rhizoctonia solani-like fungi are saprophytic, do not cause disease, and feed on dead organic matter.

Following invasion of the host by Rhizoctonia solani, sexual spores are formed on specialized structures called basidia. Four spores are produced on each basidium. Basidia are formed when the environment is moist and sufficient growth of the fungus has occurred. Basidiospores are wind-dispersed and germinate with moisture. Each basidiospore has a single nucleus. The hyphae produced by germinating spores will fuse (anastamose), forming new hyphae with a mixture of different types of nuclei.

Observations of basidiospores on diseased host tissue is not common. Several methods have been developed to produce basidiospores in pure culture but it remains difficult.

In recent years, the recognition of different anastomosis groups has helped to elucidate the complexity of this large fungal group. Having no asexual spores and only the few morphological characteristics to define "Rhizoctonia solani isolates", many fungi were placed into this species. However, it is now recognized that Rhizoctonia solani has multinucleate cells and other related fungi (with 2 nuclei per cell), the binucleates, do not belong in that species. Further, when isolates are paired, only related mycelium will fuse and thus anastomosis groups have been defined by a set of tester isolates. A set for Rhizoctonia solani isolates and another set for binucleate Rhizoctonia solani-like fungi are also available.

 

EPIDEMIOLOGY:

This pathogen survives in soil within diseased host material or as sclerotia. It can persist in soil for years, especially since so many plants are hosts. When bean seeds are planted into infested soil, the fungus attacks the young radicle or hypocotyl of the emerging seedling. In moist environments, seedlings are rotted and killed while surviving seedlings have root or collar rots. Rots develop on pods formed close to the ground. Inoculum splashes on these pods and circular rots are caused by the pathogen. Sclerotia form in diseased host tissue and remain viable in soil.

The pathogen is transported in infested soil or through movement of diseased plants or bean pods. Potential for seed-borne inoculum also exists.

Although basidiospores are wind-borne, their role in initiating disease has not been considered important except for foliar diseases (web blight) in high humidity.

 

MANAGEMENT:

Obtain high quality seeds and avoid seeds that may be contaminated with the pathogen. In fields known to have Rhizoctonia solani, prepare planting areas to increase drainage and prevent water accumulation. Set plants with adequate spacing to avoid crowding and formation of high humidity in the foliage.

Addition of compost and organic fertilizers can decrease disease levels. Fungicides such as methyl thiophanate, PCNB (pentachloronitrobenzene) and chlorothalonil are also effective. Consult label directions and carefully follow instructions for application.

Removing the debris after harvest will reduce the amount of inoculum in the soil. In some cases, alternation with a nonsusceptible crop also reduces inoculum level.

REFERENCES:

1. Farr, D. F., G. F. Bills, G. P. Chamuris, and A. Y. Rossman. 1989. Fungi on Plants and Plant Products in the United States. APS Press. St. Paul, Minnesota. 1252 pp.

 

2. Hawksworth, D. L., P. M. Kirk, B. C. Sutton, and D. N. Pegler. 1995. Ainsworth and Bisby’s Dictionary of the Fungi. CAB International. University Press, Cambridge, Oxon, U. K.

 

3. Walker, J. C. 1952. Diseases of Vegetable Crops. McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. New York. 529 pp.

 

 

COPYRIGHT.: Janice Y. Uchida

Department of Plant Pathology

University of Hawaii

 

FILE: BR-SOLA

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