Macrophomina phaseolina

Macrophomina phaseolina is a botanical pathogen that causes charcoal rot, a disease that affects over 500 plant species. It is a fungal species that belongs to the Ascomycota division, and is known for its ability to survive in extreme environmental conditions.

Taxonomy

The fungus was first described by Tassi in 1901. It belongs to the Botryosphaeriaceae family and the Ascomycota division. The genus Macrophomina is characterized by its dark, thick-walled sclerotia which are resistant to adverse environmental conditions.

Morphology

Macrophomina phaseolina is a soil-borne fungus that produces microsclerotia, which are compact masses of hardened mycelium. These microsclerotia are the primary survival structures of the fungus, enabling it to endure unfavorable conditions such as drought and extreme temperatures.

Pathogenicity

Macrophomina phaseolina is the causal agent of charcoal rot, a disease that affects a wide range of plant species, including important crops such as soybean, maize, sorghum, and sunflower. The fungus infects the roots of the host plant, leading to wilting, premature death, and significant yield loss.

Management

Management of Macrophomina phaseolina involves a combination of cultural practices, biological control, and chemical control. Cultural practices include crop rotation and the use of resistant varieties. Biological control involves the use of beneficial microorganisms to suppress the pathogen, while chemical control involves the use of fungicides.

See also

• List of soybean diseases
• List of maize diseases
• List of sunflower diseases