Thanatephorus cucumeris

Thanatephorus cucumeris (teleomorf) sinonim Rhizoctonia solani (anamorf) adalah cendawan penting penyebab penyakit tanaman pertanian yang secara umum dikenal sebagai penyebab utama busuk/layu bibit ("damping off"). patogen is a plant pathogenic fungus with a wide host range and worldwide distribution. This plant pathogen was discovered more than 100 years ago. "R. solani" frequently exists as thread-like growth on plants or in culture, and is considered a soil-borne pathogen. "R. solani" is best known to cause various plant diseases such as collar rot, root rot, damping off, and wire stem. "R. solani" attacks its hosts when they are in their early stages of development, such as seeds and seedlings, which are typically found in the soil. The pathogen is known to cause serious plant losses by attacking primarily the roots and lower stems of plants. Although it has a wide range of hosts, its main targets are herbaceous plants. "R. solani" would be considered a basidiomycete fungus if the teleomorph stage were more abundant. The pathogen is not currently known to produce any asexual (conidia) spores, though it is considered to have an asexual lifecycle. Occasionally, sexual spores (basidiospores) are produced on infected plants. The disease cycle of "R. solani" is important in management and control of the pathogen.