Environmental Factors on the Development of Root Rot on Ginseng Caused by Cylindrocarpon destructans

Abstract

The fungus Cylindrocarpon destructans is the cause of root rot in many ginseng production areas in Korea. A total of 57 isolates of C. destructans were recovered from diseased roots in a survey of ginseng-growing fields from 2011-2012. Among these isolates, 37% were classified as highly virulent (causing lesions on unwounded mature roots) and 61% were weakly virulent(causing lesions only on previously wounded roots). Radial growth of highly and weakly virulent isolates on potato dextrose agar was highest at 20 o C and there was no growth at 35 o C. Mycelial mass production was significantly (P = 0.05) lower at pH 7.0 compared with pH 5.0. To study the effects of pH (5.0 and 7.0) and wounding on disease development, ginseng roots were grown hydroponically in nutrient solution. Lesions were significantly larger (P < 0.01) at pH 5.0 compared with pH 7.0 and wounding enhanced disease by a highly virulent isolate at both pHs. In artificially infested soil, 2-yearold ginseng roots were most susceptible to Cylindrocarpon root rot among all root ages tested (1 to 4 years) when evaluated using a combined scale of disease incidence and severity. Root rot severity was significantly (P<0.05) enhanced by increasing the inoculum density from 3.5 × 10 2 cfu/g of soil to 2.0×10 3 cfu/g of soil.