Control of post harvest tuber rot of potato incited by rhizoctonia bataticola

Abstract

Cold storage and application of six fungicides ‐ Captan, Cupravit, Benlate, Dithane M45, Brestan and Borax as well as storage in open laboratory, farm bans and soil pits were separately evaluated against Rhizoctonia bataticola causing black rots of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Also tried against artificial or natural infections of potato in the laboratory was low temperature in combination with either Captan or Benlate.

The mycelial growth and rot development by the pathogen were completely inhibited by low temperature (0–10°C) and two of the fungicides, Captan and Benlate at 250–500 ppm. A low temperature‐Captan or low temperature‐Benlate combination involving the dipping of potato in 300 ppm Captan or 400 ppm Benlate and storing at 15°C as well as storage in well drained soil pits particularly in open sites proved very effective against the potato tuber rot cause by Rhizoctonia bataticola.

Key words:

• Cultural practice
• fungicide
• Rhizoctonia bataticola
• Solanum tuberosum
• temperature