Survey on the Prevalence of Dry Root Rot in Groundnut in Raichur, Yadgir and Koppal Districts of North-Eastern Karnataka, India
S. Chandana *
Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur-584104, Karnataka, India.
Sreedevi, S. Chavan
Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur-584104, Karnataka, India.
Harikishan Sudini
International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad, India.
Aswathanarayana, D. S
Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur-584104, Karnataka, India.
Raghavendra B, T
Main Agriculture Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur-584104, Karnataka, India.
Shivaleela
Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur-584104, Karnataka, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Dry root rot incited by Rhizoctonia bataticola has become a major menace in groundnut production, leading to wilting in patches, shredding of bark, root degradation and plant death. A roving survey conducted across Koppal, Yadgir and Raichur districts of North – Eastern Karnataka revealed substantial spatial variation in disease incidence, ranging from 24.16% to 31.5%. Raichur recorded the highest mean disease incidence, followed by Koppal and Yadgir. fields with monocropped groundnut and susceptible variety TMV-2 showed greater vulnerability to infection by R. bataticola. Higher incidence was associated with red sandy soils, drought stress and late crop growth stages such as peg and pod formation. Irrigation fluctuations also influenced disease severity due to intermittent moisture stress favoring pathogen activity. The results emphasize the urgent need for integrated management approaches to reduce losses caused by R. bataticola in North-Eastern Karnataka.
Keywords: Groundnut, survey, cropping pattern, variety, draught stress, Rhizoctonia bataticola