Biological Control ofRhizoctonia solaniwith a Soil-Inhabiting Basidiomycete

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Abstract
An isolate of a soil-inhabiting unidentified Corticium sp. which was parasitic to R. solani in culture, also was an effective biological control agent of this pathogen of sugar beets [Beta vulgaris] in greenhouse studies. Seed coated with mycelia and sclerotia of Corticium and planted in nonsterilized soil artificially infested with R. solani, produced significantly greater seedling stands than did nontreated seeds in the same soil. In a field study, Corticium-coated seeds of sugar beet planted in soil naturally infested with R. solani produced seedling stands more than 100% greater than untreated seeds. Nontreated sugar beet seed produced significantly greater seedling stands in soil simultaneously infested with R. solani and Corticium than in soil with R. solani only, if planted 2-15 wk after infestation. In greenhouse studies, high percentages of seedling establishment and low soil propagule densities of R. solani were correlated with high soil densities of Corticium. In the greenhouse and field, more consistent establishment of high soil populations of Corticium occurred if dry sugar beet pulp was mixed with Corticium prior to soil incorporation than if Corticium was incorporated alone. Corticium exhibits morphological and physiological stability in culture and longevity (> 3 yr) when stored as an air-dry preparation of mycelia and sclerotia under nonsterile conditions.