Effect of Root Exudates on Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. Causing Tuber Rot of Potato

Five crop root exudates viz., sorghum, maize, bajra, barley and oats were tested on the mycelial growth and germination of sclerotia of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. Root exudates collected 20 days after sowing were effective compared to 10 days after sowing in inhibiting the mycelial growth and sclerotial germination. Among the root exudates tested, sorghum root exudates were effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth and sclerotial germination when undiluted stock solution was used. Similarly, maximum inhibition of mycelial growth was seen at 20 per cent concentration of root exudates of sorghum which was followed by maize and bajra.