Pathogenicity study of Rhizoctonia solani and its integrated management on different crop species in Morocco

Abstract

Abstract In this work, we aimed to develop an ecofriendly strategy to manage the R. solani damping-off incidence of Moroccan strains. After the assessment of damping-off incidence on different crops, a greenhouse experiments were carried out to assess the efficiency of chemical and biological agents on plant growth and damping-off control. Results revealed that R. solani MN191236 strain was the most virulent as it dramatically increased severity indexes and reduced root length and pods number by 23% and 58% respectively. On R. solani-infested bean seedlings, Trichoderma asperellum increased pods number by 169% and reduce the severity index up to 1.33. However, the Tolclofos-methyl and the hypovirulent F. oxysporum strain came in second place. The efficiency of chemical or biological agents was significantly related to the interaction ‘pathogenic strains*fungicide or biological agents’. These results are promising in term of integrally and eco-friendly management of R. solani damping-off.