Severity of the foliar blight of the soylean caused by rhizoctonia solani ag-1 ia infunction of doses of potassium.

Abstract

The fungus Rhizoctonia solani, belonging to anastomosis group 1IA (AG-1 IA) is one of the most important pathogens affecting soybean in Brazil. This fungus causes aerial or foliar blight of soybean, and cultural measures are thought as important choices for the control before the establishment of the disease. Based on evidences that potassium amendments can substantially reduce the severity of several soybean diseases such as Cercospora leaf blight (Cercospora kikuchii), pod and stem blight (Phomopsis phaseoli var. sojae) and stem canker (Diaporthe phaseolorum f. sp. meridionalis). Despite all evidence, there is no information in the literature about the effect of potassium controlling the soybean foliar blight. The hypothesis tested went that the foliar blight could be controlled by potassium amendments. In general, under controlled conditions, the increments of potassium in soil did not result in disease control. Therefore, to corroborate this observation it is necessary to conduct follow-up field experiments and to evaluate the effects of the soybean foliar blight and its impact on yield.