Vol. 7, Issue 7, Part H (2025)

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an essential pulse crop, contributing significantly to global pulse production and human nutrition. However, its cultivation is increasingly threatened by dry root rot, caused by the soil-borne fungus Rhizoctonia bataticola. The pathogen persists as microsclerotia in soil and becomes aggressive under abiotic stress, such as drought and high temperatures. Understanding its biology and optimizing laboratory culturing conditions is crucial for further pathological and management studies. This study was undertaken to evaluate the suitability of different culture media-Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA), and Corn Meal Agar (CMA)-for optimal mycelial growth of Rhizoctonia bataticola. A field survey was conducted in the Sohawal block of Satna district (M.P.) during the Rabi season 2024-25 to collect infected chickpea roots, from which the pathogen was isolated and purified. In vitro experiments revealed that PDA and CMA supported significantly higher radial growth compared to SDA. PDA showed uniform growth and is recommended as the most suitable medium for routine culture of Rhizoctonia bataticola, aiding in further research and disease management.