Effect of various sources of nutrients on growth of Sarocladium oryzae (Sawada) Gams and Hawksworth causing sheath rot of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

Rice is an important cereal crop and is attacked by various fungal pathogens. The intensity of sheath rot disease depends upon application of various levels of major nutrients like nitrogen, potash etc in the plants. The current study was conducted in the Dept. of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, O.U.A.T, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Out of ten nitrogen sources ammonium ferrous sulphate supported maximum growth (415.3mg) of the causal pathogen followed by potassium nitrate (302.0mg). Among eight carbon sources starch supported significant growth of S. oryzae (491.0mg) followed by L-aspergine (263.0mg). Potassium dihydrogen phosphate recorded highest dry mycelial growth (1552.3mg) of the causal pathogen closely followed by di-potassium hydrogen phosphate (1475.7mg). Magnesium sulphate recorded highest mycelial dry matter (1385.7mg) and ammonium persulphate was the next best source of sulphur for the causal pathogen (400.7mg).