Investigation of the effects of some plant activators against Rhizoctonia stem rot (Rhizoctonia solani) on strawberry

The effect of plant activators (Salicylic Acid, Asibenzolar S-Methyl, Messenger, ISR 2000, Crop Set, and Fosetyl-Al) was investigated in the greenhouse pot experiments against the black root rot disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani on strawberry. Strawberry seedling fields in Adana and Niğde have been investigated in order to determine the black root rot disease incidence at different strawberry varieties (Festival, Fortuna, Kabarla, Rybygem, Sabrina, Sahara and Sweet Ann). Alterneria, Aspergillıs, Fusarium, Phytophyhora and Rhizoctonia species were isolated as 90% ratio from diseased plants by the black root rot disease in Niğde seedling production fields. Rhizoctonia spp had the highest rate of isolation fungal group with 50.7% at the diseased strawberry roots. Fusarium species followed it with 29.5% ratio. The diseased root rate at the seedling production fields in Tuzla, Adana was 17.5% while it was 3.9% in Niğde. When inspected the effects of plant activator's on Rhizoctonia solani's mycelial development, it has been prevented at Salicylic Acid, and Fosetyl-Al up to 700 ppm concentration but other plant activators has no effect on mycelial development of the pathogen. The disease was suppressed between 47 and 65% ratio by the root dipping application of plant activators Salicylic Acid, Asibenzolar S-Methyl, and Fosetyl-Al. Otherwise, the disease was reduced 59 and 65% ratio by foliar applications of Messenger, and Fosetyl-Al. The best plant acitivator was Fosetyl-Al for foliar and root dipping applications. Finally, it has been proven the use of plant activators at the integrated management of black root rot disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani on strawberry.