28/08/2025
๐ถ๏ธ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐ญ: ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ญ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐๐ฌ๐ (๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ข) ๐ฑ
Field monitoring has revealed severe wilting in chilli plants. The basal stem shows white fungal mycelium and mustard-seed-like brown sclerotia, clear signs of collar rot disease, caused by the soil-borne fungus Sclerotium rolfsii.
๐ฌ About the Fungus
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Survives in soil as sclerotia (hard fungal structures)
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Attacks the collar region, leading to sudden wilting
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Thrives in warm, humid conditions with high soil moisture
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Infects many crops: chilli, groundnut, soybean, vegetables, and more
โ ๏ธ Field Symptoms
๐ค Sudden wilting and drying of plants
๐ค White, cottony fungal growth at the collar base
๐ค Numerous mustard-like sclerotia on infected tissue
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Integrated Management Practices
1. Cultural Control
๐ค Crop rotation with cereals
๐ค Remove and destroy infected plants
๐ค Deep summer ploughing to expose sclerotia
2. Biological Control
๐ค Seed and soil treatment with Trichoderma harzianum / T. viride (5โ10 g/kg seed or 2.5 kg/acre enriched in FYM)
๐ค Soil drenching with Pseudomonas fluorescens
3. Chemical Control (if severe)
๐ค Soil drenching near the collar region with Carbendazim 0.1% or Tebuconazole 0.1%
๐ค Combine fungicide + bioagent for sustainable management
๐ Takeaway
Soil-borne pathogens like Sclerotium rolfsii are persistent and difficult to manage. The most effective approach is integrated management, with emphasis on biological solutions for long-term sustainability.
