Soil Quality
Fact Sheets - Rhizoctonia
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Summary
Rhizoctonia is a disease affecting a wide range of crops and has become more prevalent throughout Western Australia in recent years following the introduction of minimum tillage practices. The previous practice of tillage prior to seeding encouraged the breakdown of the fungus (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn) in the soil prior to emergence. Minimum tillage practices decrease the rate of organic matter breakdown, thereby providing a habitat for Rhizoctonia over summer. The disease affects most major crops to varying degrees, with barley being most susceptible and oat crops are least susceptible. Bare patch and root rot of cereals, and damping off and hypocotyl rot of oilseed and legumes are all caused by differing strains of R. solani.
