In vitro Effect of Physicochemical Properties on the Growth of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. Causing Collar Rot in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Premlata
Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture Science & Technology, AKS University, Satna, M. P. 485001, India.
Hemlata Sahu
Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture Science & Technology, AKS University, Satna, M. P. 485001, India.
Doomar Singh *
Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture Science & Technology, AKS University, Satna, M. P. 485001, India.
Moti Lal
Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture Science & Technology, AKS University, Satna, M. P. 485001, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Collar rot of chickpea caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. is an emerging threat to chickpea production particularly under stress conditions such as high temperature and low soil moisture. This study showed response of culture media, different temperatures and pH levels on the growth of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.causing collar rot in chickpea. The fungus was isolated from different locations of Satna, M.P. and was purified for further studies through tip and single sclerotium. Pure culture was with white cottony mycelium and brown macrosclerotia. Potato dextrose agar (PDA) was found best medium for culturing the fungus in laboratory. Optimum mycelial growth was achieved at temperature 30°C and pH 5.0-7.0 in laboratory conditions. The results showed that the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. causing collar rot disease in chickpea favours thermophilic conditions in slightly acidic to neutral pH.
Keywords: Chickpea, Sclerotium rolfsii, collar rot, temperature, pH