Investigation of root rot disease of fenugreek/paan methi (Foenum-corniculata) in Nagaur district of Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Root rot of Paan methi/Kasuri methi (Foenum-corniculata), induced by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani has become a vital constraint to the growers of paan methi in Rajasthan. Two field surveys were conducted during the Rabi 2018-19 and 2019-20 cropping seasons to determine the distribution and importance of Paan methi root rot incidence in Nagaur district, Rajasthan. The associations of disease incidence with biophysical factors were evaluated. The disease incidence varied among soil types, crop management practices, and cropping seasons. Disease incidence was higher in 2019-20 (28.45%) than in 2018-19 (26.80%). Cropping season, soil type, and previous crop were pathogen-host were significantly associated with root rot incidence. Root rot incidence varied from 20.65 to 33.50 percent in four surveyed tehsils of Nagaur district, Rajasthan. Maximum disease incidence in both years (2018-19 and 2019-20) was recorded in Nagaur Tehsil (33.50%) followed by Jayal (30.07 %), Merta (24.50 %), and Degana (22.00 %). In the Nagaur district of Rajasthan, the overall average disease incidence was 27.65 percent in 48 fields of 24 villages of four tehsils. The survey among areas revealed that none of the locations was found free from the disease.