HPIPM:Wirestem

Author: Howard F. Schwartz and David H. Gent

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Fungi
Phylum	Basidiomycota
Subphylum	Agaricomycotina
Class	Agaricomycetes
Order	Cantharellales
Family	Ceratobasidiaceae
Genus	Rhizoctonia

Scientific Name

Rhizoctonia solani

Scientific Name Synonyms

Moniliopsis aderholdii

Corticium solani

Rhizoctonia napaeae

Thanatephorus cucumeris

Common Name

Rhizoctonia damping-off, blight and rot

Identification and Life Cycle

Wirestem is caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. Wirestem is associated with warm soil temperatures, excess soil moisture, and delayed seedling emergence. The disease develops when the fungus invades the cortical tissue and girdles young stems. Plants remain alive and continue to grow slowly, but give rise to spindly plants. R. solani can survive in soil as sclerotia, pathogenically on alternate hosts and weeds, and saprophytically on crop residues.

Plant Response and Damage

Wirestem symptoms appear as reddish brown to black, sunken lesions that form on cortical tissue and stems. Large lesions may girdle the stem and kill the plant, or produce a spindly, stunted, and yellow plant.

Biological Control

No biological control strategies have been developed for wirestem.

Cultural Control

Encourage rapid seed germination and vigorous growth of seedling by planting high quality seed in warm, well-prepared seedbeds. Provide adequate but not excessive fertilization to promote vigorous growth of seedlings. Avoid planting into cold soils, excessive irrigation, poor drainage, and compaction. Ensure crop residues from the previous crop are thoroughly decomposed before planting. Crop rotation with non-hosts (i.e., small grains) may provide some reduction in wirestem.

Chemical Control

Fungicides are most effective when used in combination with cultural control strategies.

Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the sponsors of this web site assume no liability for the suggested use of any chemicals noted in the management section. Contact your local pest management personnel for current information on labeled pesticides that can be used for the intended plant disease, insect pest or weed.