Root Rot Control

Symptoms

Look for sudden wilting and drying of plants that often appear in patches in the field. Affected plants can be pulled out easily because the roots are rotted, dark and the bark peels off readily. Tiny black resting bodies may be seen on the rotted roots, and plants dry up while leaves stay attached.

Damage

Root rot (caused mainly by Macrophomina and Rhizoctonia) is a soil borne disease that is severe in hot, water stressed conditions and light soils. It rots the roots and stem base, killing plants in patches that enlarge over time. Loss can be heavy in dry spells and where the same field grows cotton repeatedly.

Organic & cultural control

Treat seed and soil with bio agents such as Trichoderma viride or Trichoderma harzianum, ideally enriched in farmyard manure. Apply well decomposed organic matter to build soil health. Follow crop rotation with non host crops like cereals, ensure good drainage, and give a light irrigation during dry spells to reduce water stress that triggers the disease.

Chemical control

Seed treatment with recommended fungicides such as carbendazim or a carbendazim plus thiram combination helps protect seedlings. Soil drenching of affected patches with carbendazim may be advised in severe cases. Always read and follow the product label, observe the pre-harvest interval, and consult your KVK or a qualified agronomist before applying.

Always follow the product label, the recommended pre-harvest interval, and your local KVK or agronomist. Pesticide approvals change, so verify before use.

Prevention

Treat seed with Trichoderma or recommended fungicide and follow crop rotation with cereals to break the disease cycle. Add organic matter, ensure good drainage, and avoid water stress by giving timely light irrigation in hot dry spells. Deep summer ploughing and balanced nutrition reduce soil inoculum and keep plants vigorous.