Studies on Charcoal Root Rot of <I>Pinus caribaea</I>

Abstract

Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid caused a serious charcoal root rot disease of Pinus caribaea seedlings in nurseries and plantations in M. P. It was estimated that the seedlings of P. ctiribaea suffered a heavy loss due to this infection. The whole of the root system was involved in the processes of infection by M. phaseolina which penetrated Ihe vascular cylinder of the seedlings and young plants. It was much likely that the translocation the solutes was disturbed. A large number of sclerotia were developed during the process of senescence of the seedlings which exhibited the sign of death of the plants. The disease was favoured by bot summer months. Some measures for the control of the disease were suggested. A review of existing literature indicated that this disease is being reported for the first time from India.