Ceratobasidium bicorne

Ceratobasidium bicorne is a soil-borne phytopathogenic fungus known to cause significant root and stem diseases in various agricultural crops. As a member of the Basidiomycota, this pathogen persists in the soil environment as mycelium or sclerotia, allowing it to survive for extended periods between cropping seasons. It is considered an opportunistic parasite that targets weakened or young plant tissues.

This fungus typically impacts cereal crops, forage grasses, and a variety of vegetable species. The most critical period for infection is during the germination and early seedling development stages. When plants are under environmental stress, the pathogen can quickly colonize the root system, inhibiting nutrient and water uptake, which often leads to poor stand establishment and reduced overall crop vigor.

Diagnostic symptoms include discoloration and necrosis of the crown and root tissues, which often turn dark brown or black. Affected seedlings may show stunting, leaf chlorosis, and in cases of severe infection, damping-off. Under conditions of high humidity, a fine, cobweb-like white mycelial growth may become visible at the base of the plant stem, close to the soil surface.

The development of the disease is highly favored by cool, moist soil conditions, frequently observed during early spring planting. The pathogen spreads through contaminated soil movement, water runoff, and infested crop debris. High soil moisture levels and poor field drainage significantly increase the rate of fungal proliferation, making low-lying areas of the field particularly susceptible to infection outbreaks.

Management strategies for this pathogen prioritize prevention through integrated pest management (IPM) practices. Key steps include the use of certified, fungicide-treated seeds and the implementation of rigorous crop rotation sequences that include non-host plants. Proper field drainage and the removal of infected plant residues are essential to reduce the primary inoculum load and prevent further spread during the growing season.

• Use of high-quality systemic seed treatments
• Crop rotation to break the pathogen's life cycle
• Improving soil drainage to prevent waterlogging
• Field sanitation and removal of contaminated crop residues