Dry Bean

 

Rhizoctonia Root Rot

 

Howard F. Schwartz, David H. Gent, Gary D. Franc and Robert M. Harveson

 

 

Identification and Life Cycle

Rhizoctonia root rot is caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani.  The fungus survives in infected plant debris, and inoculum concentrations in the soil are increased by continually cropping fields to susceptible crops such as dry bean, potato and sugarbeet. Rhizoctonia is spread within and between fields by irrigation water and soil movement. Rhizoctonia root rot of germinating seedlings is favored by moderate to high soil moisture and low soil temperatures. Damage is generally restricted to young seedlings, but can affect older plants, especially when the plants are stressed by extremes in temperature between warm soil and cool water from deep irrigation wells.

 

Plant Response and Damage

Rhizoctonia solani can cause seedling death, root and hypocotyl rot, stem cankers and pod rot. Initial symptoms appear on roots or hypocotyls as linear or circular reddish-brown sunken lesions or cankers delimited by a brown to reddish-brown margin. Rhizoctonia cankers enlarge with age, become darker, rough textured, and retard plant growth. The fungus can invade the central part of the lower stem and produce a brick-red discoloration. Disease symptoms often occur on scattered plants in a somewhat circular field pattern. Severe seedling infection causes plant death. Rhizoctonia cankers enlarge with age, become darker, rough textured, and retard plant growth. Later in the season, mixed infection with Fusarium and Pythium root rot organisms are common. Lesions may also develop on pods that are in contact with the moist soil surface and cause pod rotting or seed discoloration.

 

Management Approaches

 

Biological Control

Deny (Burkholderia cepacia) is registered for protection of dry bean roots from Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, and Pythium spp.   T-22 Planter Box (Trichoderma harzianum strain KRL-AG2) is registered, but cannot by used in alkaline or cold soils.  The efficacy of these biological control agents in the High Plains is not known. 

Cultural Control

Plant high quality seed in warm (greater than 60°F), well-prepared seedbeds under conditions favorable to rapid seedling emergence; shallow planting can encourage rapid emergence.  Avoid excess irrigation and poor drainage.  Crop rotation with non-hosts (i.e., small grains) may provide some reduction in Rhizoctonia root rot.  Conventional tillage that incorporate previous crop residue deeply and early can to promote complete decomposition before planting and reduce Rhizoctonia root rot. 

 

Chemical Control

Chemical controls are most effective when combined with sound cultural practices. 

 

Product List for Rhizoctonia Root Rot:

Pesticide

Rate per 100 lb seed

Application Frequency (days)

Remarks

Azoxystrobin

Amistar

0.125-0.25 oz/1000 ft

 

 

Quadris

0.4-0.8 fl oz/1000 ft

Planting time treatment

Suppression of Rhizoctonia spp.

Captan

Captan 75

6-9 oz

Seed treatment

Broad spectrum, but weak against Pythium spp.

Captan 30-DD

1.33-2.33 fl oz

Seed treatment

Broad spectrum, but weak against Pythium spp.

Captan 400

1.5-3.0 fl oz

Seed treatment

Broad spectrum, but weak against Pythium spp.

Captan 400-C

1.5-3.0 fl oz

Seed treatment

Broad spectrum, but weak against Pythium spp.

Fludioxinil

Maxim 4FS

0.08-0.16 fl oz

Seed treatment

Suppression of Fusarium and Rhizoctonia spp.

Fumigants

Telone II

9-15 gal

Restricted use; Preplant application, aerate 7-14 days.

Broad spectrum

Telone C-17

10-17 gal

Restricted use; Preplant application, aerate 7-14 days.

Broad spectrum

Vapam

40-100 gal

Restricted use; Preplant application, aerate 7 days.

Broad spectrum

Metalaxyl/Mefenoxam

Apron XL LS

0.085-0.64 fl oz  

Seed treatment

Suppression of Pythium and Phytophthora spp.

Allegiance-FL

0.75 fl oz 

Seed treatment

Suppression of Pythium and Phytophthora spp.

Ridomil Gold EC

0.5-2 pts

Pre-plant incorporated soil drench or soil band (a 7” band is recommended)

Suppression of Pythium and Phytophthora spp.

Ultra Flourish

2-4 pts

Pre-plant incorporated drench or 7” soil band

Suppression of Pythium and Phytophthora spp.

Thiram

42-S Thiram

4.5 fl oz

Seed treatment

Broad spectrum

Thiram 50WP

4.5 oz

Seed treatment

Broad spectrum

The information herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and that listing of commercial products, necessary to this guide, implies no endorsement by the authors or the Extension Services of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. Criticism of products or equipment not listed is neither implied nor intended. Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the Extension Services can assume no liability for the suggested use of chemicals contained herein. Pesticides must be applied legally complying with all label directions and precautions on the pesticide container and any supplemental labeling and rules of state and federal pesticide regulatory agencies. State rules and regulations and special pesticide use allowances may vary from state to state: contact your State Department of Agriculture for the rules, regulations and allowances applicable in your state and locality.

 

 

Categories: Dry Bean, Disease, Rhizoctonia Root Rot

Date: 04/06/2007