Abstract

To monitor root rot disease of groundnut, a survey was carried in the groundnut growing areas of Attock, Chakwal, Khushab, Mianwali and Rawalpindi districts of Punjab during September and October, 2008. To assess prevalence, incidence and severity of root rot, soil and plant samples were collected from 52 locations of the earlier-mentioned districts of Punjab. The highest mean root rot incidence (63%) was observed in Attock, whereas the lowest (0%) was observed in Khushab. The highest mean severity was 2.5 in Attock, while the lowest (1.3) was in Chakwal. Aspergillusspp., Alternaria sp., Curvularia sp., Fusarium spp., Phoma sp., Rhizopus spp. andPenicillium spp., were isolated from soil and root, stem and foliar samples of plants showing root rot symptoms. During this survey, it was concluded that root rot causes significant losses in the groundnut crop.

Key words: Ground nut, root rot, Fusarium solani.