EFFECT OF CULTURAL PRACTICES IN THE CONTROL OF COLLAR ROT INFECTION IN COFFEE SEEDLINGS

Abstract

Incorporation of sand in the soil influenced the disease severity of collar rot in coffee while lime significantly reduced the occurrence of the disease. Rice-straw mulching was found to increase the growth and degree of infection of R. solani while exposing the seedbeds without mulching was found unsuitable for seed germination. The percent seed germination increased and disease severity was considerably reduced when seedbeds were covered with polythene sheets. Irrigation of seedbeds at different intervals did not significantly affect seed germination and mortality of coffee seedlings due to collar rot. However, plants which received water once in 24 hr were slightly vigorous than those which received water once in 48 hr.