Studies on Charcoal Root Rot of Tropical Pines in Orissa

Rhizoctonia bataticola caused severe charcoal ischolar_main-rot in tropical Pines of Orissa, India. Out of three species, surveyed Pinus caribaea was found more susceptible to this disease. Mortality rate was higher in hill top as compared to sloping and flat areas. Disease severity was noticed during hot and dry months. Bavistin or Dithane M-45 0.2 percent when combined with 0.2 percent KH₂PO₄ gave better protection to plants from ischolar_main-rot infection by M. phaseolina than when used alone. The antagonistic fungi G. virens and T. viride were also found effective in controlling this infection.