Charcoal rot of Stevia rebaudiana caused by Macrophomina phaseolina in Brazil

Abstract

After three weeks, the inoculated plants showed leaf wilt and black-gray necrosis in the roots (presence of microsclerotia). While the same pathogen was re-isolated from inoculated plants, the controls remained healthy. It was concluded that the root rot observed in S. rebaudiana plants was caused by M. phaseolina, being the first report of this pathogen causing damage to the crop in Brazil.