Phytopathology (1996) 86, p. S37 (Cartwright et al.)

D.K. Cartwright and D.M. Benson (1996)
Efficacy of binucleate Rhizoctonia fungi to control Rhizoctonia stem rot in poinsettia
Phytopathology 86 (11 suppl.), S37-S37
Abstract: Rhizoctonia stem rot, caused by Rhizoctonia solani, is a serious disease in poinsettia. Nonpathogenic, binucleate Rhizoctonia fungi (BNR) were evaluated for control of stem rot. Colonized rice particles of three different BNR isolates (P9023, L9125, KC94J) were incorporated into a potting mix. After rooting, poinsettia plants were potted into the BNR-amended mix, and whole rice grains colonized by R. solani were used to infest selected treatments. Stem rot severity and plant height were evaluated after two months. In selected experiments, colonization of the potting mix by the BNR fungi were assayed. All three BNR isolates significantly reduced severity of stem rot over the two month period. Overall, isolate P9023 was the most effective isolate in disease suppression, and also colonized the potting mix better than other isolates. After 7 wk, 89 and 42% of the potting mix was colonized by isolate P9023 and L9125, respectively. Control was best during the first four weeks of the test. The BNR fungi have excellent potential as biocontrol agents for control of stem rot of poinsettia.
Database assignments for author(s): D. Michael Benson

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Rhizoctonia solani	Euphorbia (crop)
Binucleate Rhizoctonia (antagonist)	Rhizoctonia solani	Euphorbia (crop)