Vol. 11, Issue 2 (2022)

Author(s):
Jagdish Yadav, Ashok Kumar Mahawer, Prashantha ST and Bishnu Maya Bashyal

Abstract:
Bakanae disease is a serious threat to basmati rice cultivation. Climatic factors like temperature, pH and humidity influence the growth, survival and infestation of Fusarium species. In the present study, the impact of temperature and pH on the growth and sporulation of Fusarium fujikuroi was evaluated. Maximum radial growth of Fusarium fujikuroi was recorded at 25 °C followed by 30 °C and 20 °C. Very little growth was observed at 10 °C and 35 °C whereas, no growth of pathogen was observed at 40 °C. The number of spores were found maximum at 25 °C followed by 30 °C and 20 °C. The spore size was measured in range of 10 to 13.5 µm but no significant difference in size of spores at different temperatures was observed. The maximum growth Fusarium fujikuroi was observed at pH 7.0 followed by pH 7.5 and pH 8.0. No growth of pathogen was observed at pH 4.5. The sporulation of pathogen was observed maximum at pH 7.0 followed by pH 7.5 and pH 8.0. The spore size was measured and it was found to be range from 10 µm to 13 µm but no significant difference in spore size between different pH levels was found.