RHIZOCTONIA SEED ROT AND STEM ROT

Description: During germination Rhizoctonia produces a reddish brown lesion on roots emerging from the seed. On emerged seedlings the fungus produces a brick-red, sunken canker on the stem at the soil surface. Plants that are not killed as seedlings will appear yellow and stunted.

Location: Rhizoctonia is found throughout Ohio.

Time of infection: The specific conditions that favor attack by Rhizoctonia range from dry to very wet soils. Herbicide injury can increase the severity of this disease. Rhizoctonia is a soil-borne fungus present in most soils. In general, dry soils after seedling emergence favors seedling blight and stem rot of infected plants.

Management:
· Crop rotation
· Seed treatment
· Improved drainage

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Corn, Soybean, Wheat, and Alfalfa Field GuideBulletin 827