Charcoal rot
scouted Aug. 4, 2026
- Scientific Name
- Macrophomina phaseolina
- Background
- A tobacco field, variety NC 960, in Franklin County was being scouted and it was observed that 5% of the field was affected by blackening and yellowing. A sample was submitted to the PDIC for diagnosis.
- Conclusion
- The issue was identified as charcoal rot of tobacco. Charcoal rot is caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, a soil-borne pathogen with a wide host range. The most common symptom in charcoal rot is small black speckling in the lower part of the stem. Other symptoms may include wilting, stem rot, damping-off, and cankers. Symptoms' severity increases when temperatures are above 86°F. and in drought conditions.
- Resources
-
- No resources have been added.