Vol. 12, Issue 9 (2023)

Groundnut, also known as peanut, is a significant oilseed crop grown in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with origins traced back to South America. It held a prominent status among oilseeds due to its versatile uses. Stem rot, caused by Sclerotium rolfsii, is a major threat to groundnut cultivation, resulting in considerable yield losses, up to 27% in India alone. The disease manifested through symptoms such as wilting, mycelial growth, brown sclerotia formation, and eventual plant drying. The pathogen could survive in soil and infect various parts of the plant, including pegs and pods. Isolation and identification of S. rolfsii involved culture on Potato Dextrose Agar and microscopic examination, confirming its role as the causal agent of stem rot. Pathogenicity tests conducted on susceptible groundnut varieties validated S. rolfsii's ability to induce symptoms similar to naturally infected plants, confirming Koch's postulates.