Controlling Stem Rot in Berseem- A Complete Guide
Berseem is an important green fodder crop grown in many parts of the world. It belongs to the family of legumes and is grown as an annual crop. Berseem is grown mostly in winter, and it is known for its high nutritive value and palatability. Berseem is very sensitive to diseases, and one of the most important diseases of Berseem is Stem Rot. Stem rot is caused by the fungus Sclerotinia trifoliorum. The disease occurs in various stages of growth, and it can be severe enough to cause crop loss. In this article, we will discuss the control of stem rot in Berseem.
Symptoms of Stem Rot in Berseem
Stem rot can be observed at different stages of Berseem crop growth. Initially, it can be observed as watery or soft rot on the lower part of the stem. Later on, it spreads to the upper portion of the stem and affects the entire plant. The affected plants look wilted and reddish-brown, and the foliage turns yellow. Infected plants can be easily pulled out from the soil because of the damaged roots. The fungus forms sclerotia, which is a hard, black body, on the infected stem. These sclerotia are the primary source of infection in the following years.
Control Measures of Stem Rot in Berseem
Here are some control measures that can be adopted to control stem rot in Berseem.
Prevention:
Prevention is the best approach to avoid the occurrence of Stem Rot in Berseem. Here are some prevention measures.
1. Seed treatment: One of the primary measures for preventing stem rot is seed treatment. Seed treatment with fungicides like Carbendazim or Thiram can significantly reduce the incidence of stem rot.
2. Crop Rotation: Crop rotation with non-leguminous crops like wheat, maize, sorghum, or barley can help in reducing the number of sclerotia in the soil. Crop rotation also helps in improving soil fertility and reducing soil-borne diseases.
3. Clean cultivation practices: Clearing crop residues and weeds from the field after harvesting can help in reducing the disease prevalence.
Control Measures:
If Stem Rot occurs in Berseem crop, the following control measures can be adopted.
1. Chemical Control: Fungicides like Carbendazim, Benomyl, or Thiram can be used for controlling Stem Rot in Berseem. Fungicides can be sprayed on the crop at an early stage to prevent the spread of the disease.
2. Biological Control: Application of Trichoderma viride, Gliocladium virens, or Pseudomonas fluorescens can help in suppressing the disease incidence.
Conclusion
Stem rot is a severe disease in Berseem, and it can cause significant yield loss. Prevention is the best approach to avoid the occurrence of Stem Rot in Berseem. Seed treatment, crop rotation, and clean cultivation practices can significantly reduce the incidence of stem rot. Chemical control measures like fungicide application and biological control measures like application of beneficial microorganisms can also help in controlling the disease. Adopting these measures can help in producing a healthy and disease-free crop of Berseem.