Rhizoctonia solani

From Thanatephorus cucumeris infested peanuts

Thanatephorus cucumeris is a cosmopolitan fungal species from the group of mushrooms or toadstools. Its asexual form ( anamorph ) Rhizoctonia solani triggers a variety of plant from fungal diseases.

In sugar beet it causes the " Late root rot " in the potatoes " Weißhosigkeit ". The latter is also called " potato pox " or " scurf disease" and is a foot disease of the potato. The disease is caused by black, on the mother tuber in the soil or existing smallpox. They form the permanent form of survival of the fungus ( sclerotia ).

Disease in potatoes

Expires after a cold, wet spring, a stock patchy and unevenly, it is suspected to be contaminated by Weißhosigkeit. In the investigation of defects are close to find dead potato seeds under the soil surface. This disease occurs when diseased tubers are planted with black, scratch-off smallpox. Accesses the fungus predominantly from the ground, then arises particularly during drought, the image of " top roll ". In humid conditions at the base of the stem is often to find a dense, white mycelium.

Measures to reduce infestation in potatoes

• Use Healthy, pox -free seedlings,
• Avoiding too early and deep -laying,
• Pickling of the tubers when sorting or in the planter,
• Occasional application of fungicides in early successional stages of potato plants.