Ginger_Soft_Rot_Presentation.pptx agriculture

Ginger soft

1. jaipur national university Subject Name :- disease of field and horticultural crops and their management Subject Code :-BSCAGCO504T22 Credit Hours :-3{2+1} Submitted To :- dr.S.K khatik Submitted By :- Nikhil singh

2. Ginger: Soft Rot (Soft Root Rot)

3. Introduction • Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a major spice crop grown for its rhizomes. • Soft rot, also known as soft root rot, is the most destructive disease of ginger. • The disease can cause up to 60–80% yield loss under favorable conditions.

4. Causal Organism • Pathogen: Pythium aphanidermatum or Pythium spp. • Type: Soil-borne oomycete (fungus-like organism). • Survival: Persists in soil and plant debris as oospores.

5. Symptoms • Yellowing of lower leaves progressing upwards. • Rhizomes become soft, water-soaked, and emit foul odor. • Roots rot and plants wilt suddenly. • Affected rhizomes show brown discoloration.

6. Disease Cycle • Pathogen survives in soil or infected rhizomes. • Infection starts from soil-borne inoculum during high soil moisture. • Spread occurs through irrigation water and infected seed pieces. • Continuous ginger cropping increases inoculum levels.

7. Favorable Conditions • High soil moisture and poor drainage. • Warm temperature (25–30°C). • Heavy rainfall and water stagnation. • Continuous ginger cultivation in the same field.

8. Management – Cultural Practices • Use disease-free seed rhizomes. • Ensure good drainage and raised bed planting. • Avoid water stagnation in the field. • Practice crop rotation with non-host crops for 3–4 years. • Remove and destroy infected plants.

9. Management – Chemical Control • Seed treatment: Mancozeb (0.3%) or Metalaxyl (0.2%) for 30 minutes. • Soil drenching: Metalaxyl + Mancozeb (0.25%) or Copper oxychloride (0.3%). • Repeat fungicide sprays every 20–25 days if infection persists.

10. Management – Biological Control • Apply Trichoderma harzianum (5–10 g/kg rhizome) before planting. • Use neem cake or FYM enriched with Trichoderma. • Enhances soil health and suppresses pathogen.

11. Resistant Varieties • Partially tolerant varieties: Varada, Rio-de-Janeiro, Rejatha, IISR Mahima. • Breeding programs aim to develop resistant varieties.

12. Conclusion • Soft rot is the most destructive disease of ginger. • Caused by Pythium aphanidermatum under high moisture conditions. • Integrated management (cultural + chemical + biological) is essential. • Use healthy seed, proper drainage, and timely field monitoring.

13. References • Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Calicut. • Agrios, G.N. (2005). Plant Pathology. • Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development, Calicut. • ICAR-National Research Centre for Seed Spices.

14. Thank you 🙏