Pathogenic and molecular characterisation of Pythium spp. inducing root rot symptoms in other crops intercropped with beans in Southwestern Uganda

Objective: In Southwestern Uganda, bean root rot epidemics associated with Pythium species are frequent despite the use of various management methods. This study set out to determine whether other crops in bean cropping systems of Southwestern Uganda are affected by Pythium root rots and to characterise the Pythium species using Internal transcribed sequence (ITS) DNA primers. Methodology and Results: Root rots were found to occur on maize, sorghum, peas and potato sampled from farmer’s fields where they were found to be intercropped with beans affected by root rot. Pythium species were isolated using Corn meal agar (CMA).DNA was subsequently extracted and polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) analysis carried out using ITS DNA region primers and then the PCR products were sequenced. Twenty-one Pythium species were isolated. Cross pathogenicity tests were done in a screen house using bean pathogenic Pythium species and Pythium, species derived from other crops intercropped with beans. The Pythium species were moderately to non-pathogenic in maize and millet while those in sorghum and peas were highly pathogenic. Conclusion and application of results: This study found that other crops intercropped with beans in Southwestern Uganda were affected by Pythium root rots. Peas and sorghum were highly susceptible to the pathogenic Pythium species and could therefore be contributing to the continuous bean root rot epiphytotics in the region. On the other hand, maize and millet were non pathogenic to the Pythium species. This knowledge could be used to advice farmers not to include sorghum and peas when intercropping with beans, as they seem to be contributing to the Pythium inoculum load. They could alternatively use maize and millet, as they are not susceptible to the pathogenic Pythium species.