Description:

• High temperatures and low soil moisture favour the occurrence of this disease. It is more prevalent in hot, dry regions.

Damage Symptoms:

• Affected plants exhibit yellowing and wilting symptoms.
• The lower stem develops gray-to-black discoloration, eventually becoming dry and brittle.
• Charcoal-like formations, called black microsclerotia, are visible on the tissues of the roots and basal stem.
• The disease leads to low grain quality, stunted growth, and poor ear development.

Preventive Measures:

• Avoid water stress by providing optimal irrigation.
• Practice crop rotation.

Control Measures:

• Mix in water and drench the soil with copper oxychloride or a combination of mancozeb and metalaxyl.