Tuber rot (Macrophomina phaseolina, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium spp.)

Symptoms

• The initial symptoms are leaves turning brown and wilting.
• The leaves may remain attached to the plant or drop to the ground.
• The infected plant will show a scorched appearance.
• The examination of roots reveals root dieback and swelling of tubers.
• Tubers may have light brown, dark gray, blue or pink discoloration.
• The rotting roots may be soft and produce a foul odor.
• In some cases, white fungal structures can be seen at the base of the stem, particularly during the wet season.

Management

• Provide good drainage facilities.
• Removal of infected tubers
• Deep ploughing with chisel plough
• Ridge planting
• Apply Trichoderma viride (1 kg/acre) as basal and at 3rd and 6th month after planting to soil.
• Soil application of neem cake

Chemical Control

Extremely Toxic

Highly Toxic

Moderately Toxic

Slightly Toxic