Physiological studies on Fusarium moniliforme Sheld, the causal organism of Bakanae disease of rice

Physiological studies on factors affecting the mycelial growth of Fusarium moniliforme Sheld., i.e., culture media, temperature, pH level, light duration and fungicide concentrations, were carried out. Potato dextrose agar medium (PDA) was found to be the best for the mycelia growth followed by Wakasman’s agar, Basal medium, Czapeck’s dox agar and Richards medium. The fungus showed significant growth within a range of 25-30o C, the best growth was observed at 30o C. Neutral pH (7) favoured the mycelial growth more as compared to other values. The effect of light and dark period on fungal growth was insignificant, however significant results were obtained when light was given for a continuous period of 24 hours. In vitro test of fungicides on mycelial growth of the fungus revealed that Benlate and Derosal inhibited the mycelial growth of the fungus completely, rather than other fungicides