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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Poplarville, Mississippi » Southern Horticultural Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #278139
Title: Cutting propagation of azaleas using hot water treatments to control pathogens

Author
item Copes, Warren
item BLYTHE, EUGENE - Mississippi State Extension Service

Submitted to: International Plant Propagators Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/31/2012
Publication Date: 4/13/2012
Citation: Copes, W.E., Blythe, E. 2013. Cutting propagation of azaleas using hot water treatments to control pathogens. International Plant Propagators Proceedings. 61:231-236.

Interpretive Summary: Azalea web blight, caused by binucleate Rhizoctonia fungi, occurs yearly on some azalea cultivars during nursery production in the southern and eastern U.S. Azalea shoots collected for cutting propagation can harbor the pathogen, thus allowing the disease to be carried with the plant through the propagation process. A previous study demonstrated that submerging Rhizoctonia-infested stem pieces of 'Gumpo White' azalea in 122°F (50°C) water for 21 minutes could eliminate the pathogen without causing damage to leaf tissue. The present study determined that this hot water treatment can be used safely for cuttings of twelve commonly grown azalea cultivars without causing detrimental leaf damage or adversely affecting root development. The information will be beneficial to university crop consultants, cooperative extension specialists, and commercial plant producers.

Technical Abstract: Azalea web blight, caused by certain binucleate species of Rhizoctonia, occurs yearly on some azalea cultivars during nursery production in the southern and eastern U.S. Azalea shoots collected for cutting propagation can harbor the pathogen, thus allowing the disease to be perpetuated during the cutting propagation process. A previous study demonstrated that submerging Rhizoctonia-infested stem pieces of 'Gumpo White' azalea in 122°F (50°C) water for 21 minutes could eliminate the pathogen without causing damage to leaf tissue. The present study determined that this hot water treatment can be used safely for cuttings of twelve commonly grown azalea cultivars without causing detrimental leaf damage or adversely affecting root development.