ARS | Publication request: Management of Rhizoctonia Damping-off of Brassica Oilseed Crops in the PNW

Submitted to: Washington State University College of Agriculture and Home Economics
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 20, 2008
Publication Date: August 20, 2008
Citation: Hulbert, S., Babiker, E., Paulitz, T.C., Schroeder, K.L. 2008. Management of Rhizoctonia Damping-off of Brassica Oilseed Crops in the PNW. Washington State University College of Agriculture and Home Economics. Page 26.

Technical Abstract: Rhizoctonia solani can cause pre and post-emergence damping off of Brassica oilseed species with adverse effects on stand establishment. In greenhouse experiments, we have examined resistance to two groups (AGs) of Rhizoctonia solani among various Brassica species and varieties. R. solani AG 2-1 is among the most virulent strains and can drastically reduce seedling emergence. R. solani AG 8 can cause seedling stunting and also infects wheat. A few B. napus canola varieties appeared more tolerant to both groups of the pathogen in greenhouse experiments. The hybrid cultivars Flash and Sitro, from the German company DSV, and the open-pollinated DeKalb variety CWH687 showed the best tolerance to the two Rhizoctonia groups. Camelina was similar in susceptibility to most canola varieties, as were yellow, brown and Ethiopian mustards. We have examined various chemical seed treatments on the incidence of seedling damping-off of canola in the greenhouse, inoculated with R. solani AG 2- 1. We found the seed treatments to be mostly ineffective. Since the pathogen attacks the young hypocotyls, these tissues were not protected by non-systemic seed treatments. We are now developing assays to determine if the differences in greenhouse resistance among the canola varieties can be observed in the field.