Effect of soil moisture and temperature on the severity of Macrophomina charcoal rot of sorghum

Charcoal rot, caused by M. Phaseolina, is one of the most important diseases of sorghum in India. The organism is also known to cause root & stem diseases of many economic crops, notably charcoal rot of soyabean (Glycine max) corn (Zea mays) etc. The epidemics of M. Phaseolina in relation to environmental factors has been discussed in Sorghum. We reported that at different moisture level's height of plant was effected. As soon as the moisture level increased from 40 to 100% average disease rating decreased. At different temperature level's 25, 30, 35 and 40, maximum % infection was recorded at 40°C (21.3%) while minimum were recorded at 25°C (13.8%). The data's were pooled. Similarly maximum numbers of internodes were crossed at 40°C where disease rating is 1.57 & minimum at 25°C maximum length is also effected at 40°C.