Root rot disease is a significant constraint in groundnut production, causing significant yield losses in many countries. The disease is caused by various soil-borne fungal pathogens, including Fusarium solani, Rhizoctonia solani, and Pythium spp. Root rot infections are often first noticed after periods of heavy rainfall or irrigation.
Control strategies for root rot in groundnut include cultural, biological, and chemical methods. Cultural control practices include crop rotation, planting resistant varieties of groundnut, and appropriate use of irrigation. Biological control methods consist of using beneficial microorganisms to prevent pathogen growth, and chemical control measures encompass the use of fungicides.
Crop rotation is an effective method for managing root rot. It involves growing crops that are not hosts of the pathogenic fungi in the soil. The growing of non-host species could mean a crop rotation of at least three years, where groundnut is not planted on the same farm. The soil must be tested to determine which species are good for the soil in which it grows.
Planting resistant groundnut varieties is another effective way of managing root rot. Varietal resistance could mean reducing losses from the disease and improving yields. However, it is also essential to combine planting resistant varieties with other management control strategies to have effective control and management of the disease.
Appropriate irrigation management is another crucial factor for controlling root rot. This can be achieved by practicing good drainage systems that will drain excess water from the groundnut fields. This reduces the likelihood of the groundnut field becoming saturated and being an ideal environment for the growth of the pathogenic fungi.
Biological control measures involve using beneficial microorganisms to reduce the growth of pathogenic fungi in the soil. This is achieved either by introducing them directly into the soil or developing techniques that enhance their proliferation. Thus, they will compete with the pathogens for available resources, reducing the incidence of the disease.
Chemical control measures involve the use of fungicides. Fungicides are beneficial in situations where chemical applications could reduce the chances of infection outbreak or damage. Farmers should follow the recommended dosages, time of application and take necessary precaution measures.
In conclusion, being aware of the root rot disease control measures that are available and effectively using them is important in preventing and managing the disease. Best practice is to combine several management strategies and use them together to manage and control this disease in groundnut production.