Effect of media on the growth and sclerotial Formation of Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid causing charcoal rot of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under in-vitro condition

Abstract

Charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid., is one of the most widely distributed and destructive disease of Sesame [Sesamum indicum (L.)], causing accountable quantitative and qualitative losses. The pathogen can induce various diseases viz., charcoal / root / stem rots, leaf blight etc. in many crop plants. The effects of different culture media on mycelial growth and sclerotial formation of Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid inciting agent of charcoal rot of sesame were studied in vitro. 10 different solid media were tested for their effect on mycelial growth and sclerotial formation of test fungus. Among the solid media Potato Dextrose Agar medium had the highest mycelial growth (89.66 mm) and the Excellent sclerotia formation (++++), followed by sesame root extract agar (89.30 mm and ++++) and Richard’s agar (88.90 mm and ++) were the best for fungus growth as well as for sclerotial formation. Corn meal agar medium was recorded least mycelial growth and lowest sclerotia formation (56.11mm and +).