Background: Charcoal rot disease, caused by the soil-borne pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina, poses a significant threat to strawberry cultivation in Maharashtra, India. This study highlights critical factors contributing to disease spread, including climate variables, soil characteristics and farming practices. We propose a comprehensive set of recommendations for improved disease management, aiming to enhance strawberry production and economic outcomes for farmers in Maharashtra. 
 
Methods: This study presents an extensive survey of charcoal rot incidence, severity and management practices in the region. Through rigorous field surveys conducted across 100 strawberry farms during 2020 - 2022 laboratory analyses of 2000 plant samples and detailed interviews with 300 local farmers, we identified the prevalence of the disease, its impact on yield and quality and the effectiveness of current management strategies. 
 
Result: Our findings reveal that 47% of surveyed farms reported charcoal rot incidence, with an average Disease Severity Index of 3.4 on a 5-point scale. Affected farms experienced yield reductions of 18-35% and significant decreases in fruit quality, with economic losses estimated at 150,000-400,000 per hectare. Chemical treatments and crop rotation are commonly employed, their effectiveness varies considerably. Integrated disease management practices showed the most promise in reducing disease severity, with a 40% reduction in DSI compared to conventional methods.

Survey of Charcoal Rot Disease of Strawberry in Maharashtra

<div>Background: Charcoal rot of fenugreek caused by Macrophomina phaseolina is destructive disease of all fenugreek growing areas of Rajasthan, The disease is wide occurrence in sandy soil of Rajasthan, where the climatic conditions are dry and temperature remains high. Under severe infestation it cause 35.00-42.56% losses in yield. In the present investigation, our main emphasis was to find out some new fungicides alone and combination with bio-agent for management of charcoal rot of fenugreek. 
 
Methods: Eight fungicides viz., captan 70%+ hexaconazole 5% WP, azoxystrobin 18.2% + difenaconazole 1.4% SC, chlorothalonil 75% WP, carbendazim 12% + mancozeb 63% WP, tebuconazole 50% + trifloxystrobin 25% WG, carboxin 37.5% + thiram 37.5% WP, copper oxychloride 50% WP and captan 70% WP were tested at different&nbsp; concentration of 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm against M. phaseolina using Poisoned Food Technique in vitro. The in vivo study was taken to evaluate the effect of one fungal and one bacterial bio-agent viz., T. harzianum, P. fluorescens was applied as seed treatment, soil dressing and soil application @ 5+5g/kg and @ 10 kg/ha respectively and fungicides viz., tebuconazole 50%+ trifloxystrobin 25% @ 1.5 g/kg, carbendazim 12% + mancozeb 63% @ 2 g/kg and azoxystrobin 18.2% + difenaconazole 11.4% 2 ml/kg seed were used in different treatments. The experiment was conducted at Experimental farm COA, SKRAU, Bikaner during Rabi 2020-21 on most popular cv. Rmt-305 in RBD design with the application of seed treatment, soil dressing and foliar spray of different fungicides with bioagents at different concentrations against Charcoal Rot disease and compared with an untreated control. 
 
Result: Among all the tested fungicides used in the present investigation, tebuconazole 50% + trifloxystrobin 25% WG found most effective in controlling the mycelium growth of pathogen. In field condition, it gave maximum disease control (85.72%) with highest grain yield (19.83 q/ha) when applied as seed treatment with tebuconazole 50% + trifloxystrobin 25% WG @ 1.5 g/kg seed + soil application of T. harzianum @ 10 kg/ha + SD with tebuconazole 50% + trifloxystrobin 25% WG. These treatments can provide an effective management of charcoal rot disease for fenugreek cultivators.</div>

Management of Charcoal Rot (Macrophomina phaseolina) of Fenugreek in Rajasthan

Background: Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid is a necrotrophic soil-inhabiting fungus that causes disease in several economic plants worldwide and has now become a serious threat to soybean cultivation in central India. 
 
Methods: The random surveys were done during 2018 and 2019 to determine the present status of charcoal rot (M. phaseolina) in key soybean growing districts of Madhya Pradesh. Sixteen isolates of pathogen were characterized based on morpho-cultural and pathogenic variability by using cut stem inoculation techniques at J.N.K.V.V., Jabalpur.&nbsp; 
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Result: Charcoal rot was prevalent in all surveyed sixteen districts of Madhya Pradesh. Out of six, Kymore plateau and Satpura hills (44.5%), Satpura plateau (42.5%), Central Narmada Valley (42.0%) and Vindhyan plateau agroclimatic zones (35.0%) were identified as favouable zones for charcoal rot. Malwa plateau (16.25%) and Northern hill region (24.5%) had low incidences of charcoal rot. Among varieties, JS 95-60, JS 93-05 and JS 20-29 were highly affected, whereas, JS 20-34, JS 20-98 and JS 20-69 were least affected. Incidence of charcoal rot was comparatively higher in the fields that had Maize-Chickpea (26.32%), Maize-Wheat, Soybean- Pea and Soybean - Chickpea cropping patterns in the previous year and lowest in Rice-Chickpea (12.00%) and Rice - Wheat (12.45%) cropping patterns. The incidence of charcoal rot was partially higher in the fields with light soil (21.3%) than in heavy soil (19.0%). Isolates investigation revealed that isolates from Jabalpur, Hoshangabad, Chhindwara and Sagar were fast-growing variables and highly aggressive in developing necrotic lesions on the cut stem of soybean. This investigation could be instrumental in forewarning sensitive areas of charcoal rot, varietal options and crop rotation to be followed to minimize the incidence of charcoal rot. Moreover, identified variable aggressive isolates could be utilized in genotype resistance screening programs.

Distribution of Charcoal Rot of Soybean, its Influencing Factors and Pathogenic Variabilities in Different Regions of Madhya Pradesh

<div>Background: Soybean is an important oilseed crop. Charcoal rot caused by soil borne polyphagous fungus Macrophomina phaseolina in soybean causes about 80 percent yield loss.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Callus and cell suspension cultures derived from immature and mature embryonic axis and cotyledons explants from disease susceptible soybean cultivars (cv JS335 and JS95-60) were treated with purified toxic culture filtrate generated by the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina fortified with MS culture medium. A continuous method of four cycles of selection was executed on toxic medium while during discontinuous method, a silence was given after the second and third cycle of selection using non-toxic medium.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The discontinuous method appeared to be superior as it permitted the calli to recover their regeneration capability. Continuous exposure to toxic culture filtrate resulted up to about 65-75 percent mortality. A total of four lines of JS335 and nine of JS95-60 were found resistant amongst an array of putative resistant/tolerant lines during S1 generation.&nbsp;</div>

<div>In vitro Selection for Resistance against Charcoal Rot Disease of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] Caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">The laboratory experiments were carried out to study the effect of different salts viz., potassium chloride (KCl), potassium phosphate dibasic (K2HPO4), sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and ammonium molybdate (NH4)6 Mo7O24) on seed borne M. phaseolina and Fusarium sp. as an alternative to synthetic fungicides for the control of charcoal rot and wilt diseases in blackgram. The evaluation of different salts was performed in vitro using various concentrations viz., 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 per cent (w/v). Among the salts tested against M. phaseolina, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and ammonium molybdate at 0.5, 2.0 and 4.0 per cent respectively inhibited the fungal growth. Among the salts tested against Fusarium sp. sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) at 4.0 per cent concentration recorded complete inhibition of the mycelial growth compared to the other salts. Also seed priming of these salts significantly reduced the seed borne infection due to M. phaseolina and Fusarium sp. under standard blotter test. The salts like potassium chloride and potassium phosphate dibasic (K2HPO4) at all concentrations did not inhibit M. phaseolina and Fusarium sp. which recorded 100 per cent mycelial growth as that of control.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Fungitoxic effect of inorganic salts for the management of seed borne Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium sp. causing charcoal rot and wilt disease in blackgram&nbsp;</div>

<div>Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. is a soil- and seed-borne pathogen that causes charcoal rot and various rots and blights of more than 500 crop species. Dry root rot (DRR) also called as charcoal rot which causes yield loss ranged from 25-48 per cent. The pathogen is necrotroph and infects a wide range of crops. It is observed that mycelium of M. phaseolina in cotyledons, plumule and radicle, in the naturally infected seeds of mungbean and cowpea. The disease symptoms are clearly visible from the time of emergence and can be evaluated at various stages of development of the plant. The mechanical plugging of the xylem vessels by microsclerotia, toxin production, enzymatic action and mechanical pressure during penetration lead to disease development. Management of M. phaseolina aim to reduce the number of sclerotia in soil or to minimize the contact of the inoculum and the host. Soil solarization can be a cost-effective method for management of soil borne diseases. Disease suppression by biocontrol agents such as Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride and Bacillus subtilis are the sustained manifestation of interactions among the plant, the pathogen, the biocontrol agent, the microbial community on and around the plant and the physical environment and considerably inhibited growth of M. phaseolina. Essential oils and plant extracts contain a multitude of bioactive substances against fungi, bacteria and nematodes. It has been reported that neem oil, turmeric and garlic was effective against M. phaseolina in in vitro condition. Chemical control is an effective method&nbsp; when seed treatment and foliar spray of carbendazim, topsin M-70, captan, thiram, mancozeb, copper oxychloride against root rot and leaf blight (Macrophomina phaseolina) topsin M-70, captan, thiram, mancozeb, copper oxychloride against root rot (Macrophomina phaseolina). As non-chemical alternative methods can be time-consuming and less effective against soilborne plant pathogens. Chemical control is an effective method of controlling some soilborne diseases in agricultural crops. Varoius workers are reported compatibility of biocontrol agents with fungicides and found that Carbendazim and biocontrol agents Trichoderma viride, T. harizianum were found effective under in vitro and pot condition.</div>

Root Rot Disease Incited by Macrophomina phaseolina in Arid Legumes and their Management: A Review

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important legume crop of tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world. This crop suffers from several diseases like early leaf spot, late leaf spot, rust, groundnut bud necrosis, peanut clump and collar rot etc. But collar rot caused by Aspergillus niger van Teighem is one of the most important seed and soil borne diseases causing huge economic (40-50 per cent) loss in India and abroad. 
 
Methods: A roving survey was conducted to assess the incidence of collar rot in eight major groundnut growing districts of western Rajasthan i.e. Bikaner, Jodhpur, Churu, Jalore, Jaipur, Sikar, Nagaur and Dausa during Kharif 2018. A field experiment was carried out for two consecutive years (2019 and 2020) to manage the disease through altering micro-climate under canopy with six levels of seed rates (80, 85, 90, 95, 100 and 105 kg/ha). 
 
Result: Our investigations cleared that this disease is prevalent in all the 200 fields surveyed in eight districts of Rajasthan with 22.99 per cent overall disease incidence which varied from 17.84 to 32.38 per cent with monetary losses. Maximum disease incidence was recorded in Jaipur (28.85%) district while it was lowest in Nagaur district (20.15%). Higher disease reduction (12.97%) with increased pod yield (27.65%) was observed with higher seed rate of 105 kg/ha as compared to standard recommended seed rate (80 kg/ha) as this pathogen is favoured by higher temperature and low soil moisture, dense canopy provides shade that increases humidity under the cropped area and lowers temperature. As a result of this, plant mortality can be compensated by increasing plant population through seed rate, as it modifies the microclimate and generate an environment which is less favourable for developing collar rot disease of groundnut.</div>

​​Incidence of Collar Rot of Groundnut in Rajasthan and its Management

<div>Background: Groundnut is an important edible leguminous oilseed crop and stem rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii is one of the major soil borne disease affecting groundnut severely in India. The current study aimed to get an understanding regarding the incidence level and pattern of prevalence of the disease in the agro-ecological condition of Andhra Pradesh.&nbsp;</div>

<div> 
Methods: Roving survey was taken up from major groundnut growing areas in Andhra Pradesh during kharif, 2019 and kharif, 2020 in five districts. From each district predominant groundnut growing areas were chosen for assessment of the disease. Five spots of one square meter area in each field were selected randomly and Per cent disease incidence was recorded.</div>

<div> 
Result: From the data it is observed that the stem and pod rot incidence was higher during kharif, 2020 when compared with kharif, 2019. The pooled data indicated that the mean stem rot incidence for the two years ranges from 5.39% to 23.56% with highest mean stem rot incidence in Krishnapuram (v), Kothapatnam (m) of Prakasam dist (23.56%) and lowest in Bandarupalli (v), Yerpedu (m) of Chittoor dist (5.39%). Among different districts highest mean stem rot incidence was recorded in Prakasam dist (18.71%) and lowest was recorded in Chittoor dist (7.11%). The stem rot severity was high in sandy soils with TAG24 variety where groundnut is being grown followed by red sandy loams and least in clay loam soils. The groundnut sole crop recorded high disease incidence when compared with intercrop of red gram. Siginificant positive correlation was recorded between stem rot, pod rot and leaf spot incidence.</div>

Survey for the Incidence of Stem Rot (Sclerotium rolfsii sacc) of Groundnut in Andhra Pradesh

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: The most important wheat diseases that caused by soil-borne fungi are the root-rot disease. The current investigation conducted with evaluation the efficacy of some bioagents, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Azospirillum brasilense, Trichoderma harzianum, commercial bioagent (Planta guard) and chitosan against the causal pathogenic organisms of wheat root rot disease under greenhouse conditions.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Wheat seedlings infected with root rot disease were subjected to the causal fungal isolation trails. In greenhouse, wheat grains were sown individually in pots containing artificially infested soil with the pathogenic fungi R. solani or F. graminearum. Furthermore, the tested bioagents and the fungicide Topsin-M 70 were applied to the infested soil before sowing.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The isolated fungi were R. solani or F. graminearum had proved their pathogenic ability to induce root rot disease of wheat. In pot experiment, all applied treatments affect root rot incidence of grown wheat seedlings in artificially infested soils with disease incidents. In infested soils with root rot incidents, bacterial bioagents reduced root rot incidence by 84.5-93.6% and 28.4- 35.3% 66.6, respectively and by 43.7% for T. harzianum. Moderate effect was obtained by chitosan and planta guard treatments in soil infested with either pathogenic fungi.</div>

<div>Biocontrol Agents for Controlling Wheat Root Rot Disease under Greenhouse Conditions</div>

<div>Background: Fruit rot is an age old destructive disease of chilli caused by complex fungal pathogens resulting in severe yield losses both at pre and post-harvest stages. Hence, this study aims to investigate the occurrence of fruit rot disease in Tamil Nadu and to identify the fungal pathogens associated with fruit rot symptoms based on morpho-molecular characters.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Roving survey was conducted in various districts of Tamil Nadu to determine the prevalence of fruit rot disease and to ascertain its causative agents. The pathogens were identified based on the conidial morphology, cultural characteristics and further confirmed by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using ITS 1 and ITS 4 primers.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Maximum disease severity was documented in Dharmapuri followed by Namakkal and lowest in Nagapattinam district. Ten isolates representing two genera viz., Colletotrichum and Fusarium were recovered from fruit rot infected chilli fruits and validated by pathogenicity test. Based on the morpho-cultural characters, 2 isolates were identified as Fusarium sp., with oval/ellipsoidal microconidia and straight/curved macroconidia, 6 isolates as Colletotrichum scovillei with fusiform conidia and 2 isolates as Colletotrichum truncatum with falcate conidia. The virulent isolates were further confirmed as C. scovillei based on PCR amplification of ITS region of genomic DNA.</div>