Survey of root rot of groundnut in rainfed areas of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

To monitor root rot disease of groundnut, a survey was carried in the  groundnut growing areas of Attock, Chakwal, Khushab, Mianwali and  Rawalpindi districts of Punjab during September and October, 2008. To assess prevalence, incidence and severity of root rot, soil and plant  samples were collected from 52 locations of the earlier-mentioned districts of Punjab. The highest mean root rot incidence (63%) was observed in Attock, whereas the lowest (0%) was observed in Khushab. The highest  mean severity was 2.5 in  Attock, while the lowest (1.3) was in Chakwal. Aspergillus spp., Alternaria sp., Curvularia sp., Fusarium spp., Phoma sp., Rhizopus spp. and Penicillium  spp., were isolated from soil and root, stem and foliar samples of plants showing root rot symptoms. During this survey, it was concluded that root rot causes significant losses in the groundnut crop.

Key words: Ground nut, root rot, Fusarium solani.