Management
It is not possible to completely control Rhizoctonia, but the severity of the pathogen can be limited. Successful control of Rhizoctonia depends on characteristics of the pathogen, host crops, and environment. Controlling the environment, crop rotation, using resistant varieties, and minimizing soil compaction are effective and noninvasive ways to manage disease. Planting seedlings in warmer soil and getting plants to emerge quickly helps minimize damage. Crop rotation also helps minimize the amount of inoculum that causes Rhizoctonia Solani. There are a few resistant varieties with moderate resistance to Rhizoctonia that can be used, but they produce lower yields and quantity than standard varieties. Minimizing soil compaction is also another way to reduce risk of the pathogen because this helps water infiltration, drainage, and aeration for the plants.
One specific chemical option is a chemical spray PCNB which is known to be the best solution to reducing damping off of seeds on host plants. To minimize disease, we can use plant certified seed that is free of sclerotia. Seed growers should look into only purchasing sclerotia free seeds when planting their crops since sclerotia can overwinter in the soil and may not show symptoms right away. Although fungicides are not the most effective way to manage this pathogen, there have been a few that have been approved by the USDA for control of the pathogen. One should consult their chemical representative on which group of fungicides would be most effective with their crops in regard to Rhizoctonia solani.
Avoidance is one of the key ways to ensure that the pathogen will not be among their crops. As long as seed growers stay clear of wet, poorly drained areas while also avoiding susceptible crops, Rhizoctonia solani is not usually a problem. Diseases caused by this pathogen are more severe in soils that are moderately wet and a temperature range of 15-18 degrees C.
Read more about this topic: Rhizoctonia Solani
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