Thanatephorus cucumeris

(Rhizoctonia solani, "sore shin")

The fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris (Rhizoctonia solani, "sore shin") is present in many soils and causes progressively increased damage on tobacco. It induces lesions at the collar which occur most often after planting, such as a brown to black canker girdling the stem at the soil level (figures 1 to 4). Although it may occur in the nursery (see Diseases in the nursery and after planting), it seems that infection takes place very soon after planting. 
 
In France, very few pathogens attack the collar of tobacco, except for Athelia rolfsii (formerly Sclerotium rolfsii). The identification of an infection by T. cucumeris is easy , which would not be the case if Phytophthora nicotianae occurred in this country. For further information, see the fact sheet of Thanatephorus cucumeris (Rhizoctonia solani).
 
For further information see the Thanatephorus cucumeris (Rhizoctonia solani) fact sheet.