RHIZOCTONIA SPP ASSOCIATED WITH CONTAINER-GROWN ERICACEOUS PLANTS IN SCOTLAND

Fungi with Rhizoctonia-like mycelia were isolated from the foliage, st em-base and roots of ericaceous plants collected from nurseries in Sco tland. Isolated fungi were identified as either binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. or Rhizoctonia solani on the basis of hyphal characteristics and nuclear number. The optimum temperature range for growth of binucleat e Rhizoctonia spp. and R. solani was 20 and 25 degrees C, respectively . All isolates tested for pathogenicity caused foliar browning, and we bs of mycelial growth were observed on dead and dying foliage. Binucle ate Rhizoctonia spp. and R. solani are recorded for the first time on container-grown ericaceous plants in Scotland.