Rhizoctonia can reduce the potato crop by 30%

The potato is among the most cultivated vegetables in Brazil and faces obstacles that compromise performance in the field, including Rhizoctonia. The soil-borne disease is caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani and can reduce the productivity of the crop by up to 30% when not controlled. According to the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), in addition to playing a significant role in generating income in rural areas and in the population's diet, the potato is cultivated in various regions of the country, which requires constant attention to the management of phytosanitary problems. Without resistant varieties available on the market, the control of Rhizoctonia needs to be preventive. The measure aims to reduce the impacts of the disease, which include the death of sprouts, the reduction in the formation and size of tubers, and the appearance of dark crusts known as asphalt stain. The incidence can also generate patches of weakened plants, compromising the ...