Pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia repens Bernard on different plants and its effect on the suppression of root-rot on cucumber plants

Abstract

The potential use of binucleate Rhizoctonia-like fungi in the suppression of root-rot diseases of various crops has been widely investigated. In the present study, pathogenicity of two Rhizoctonia repens Bernard isolates, previously obtained from wild orchids in Samsun was determined, on eight plants from different families. Both of the isolates caused slight root-rot on bean and sugarbeet plants. Effects of R. repens and Rhizobium bacteria on the suppression of pathogenic Rhizoctonia were also investigated. They failed to suppress the root-rot disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani on cucumber plants. However, R. repens lead to increased root length of the plants.