Phonetic: Rye-zoh-tone-ee-uh

Rhizoctonia is the most important plant pathogen found worldwide. It is commonly found in soils causing damping-off, root rots, cankers, fruit decay, and foliage disease on a variety of plants. It is attracted to the plants by chemical stimulants released by actively growing plant cells and/or residues from decomposing plants. This soil-born fungus grows well in warm, moderately moist soil, temperatures of 12°-32°C, and soil moisture up to 65% saturation. Rhizoctonia is also an etiologic agent of keratomycosis, a mycotic infection of the cornea in humans and animals. Rhizoctonia solani is the most common and has been used extensively as a research tool in physiological, biochemical, ecological, and ultrastructural studies. This genus produces no spores, therefore must be identified on the basis of its mycelial characteristics. (A_w-0.96) Culture - Potato dextrose agar or Malt extract agar, 20° – 25°C, 7 – 10 days.