CHARCOAL ROT


Charcoal rot on soybean

Description: Charcoal rot has been occasionally diagnosed in Ohio. Early season diagnosis is very difficult, but during the later stages of plant development very small, black resistant structures (sclerotia) become evident as a grayish-black discoloration in the root and lower stem tissues. Cutting the lower stem with a knife will expose the discolored tissues in comparison to normally white tissues of healthy plants.

Location: Charcoal rot is more prevalent in southern and western Ohio than in the north central region.

Time of infection: Infection occurs early in the season on seedlings and the fungus grows slowly in the plant until hot dry weather occurs after flowering. Premature death of plants suffering from drought stress is an indication of charcoal rot.

Management:
· Crop rotation

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Corn, Soybean, Wheat, and Alfalfa Field GuideBulletin 827