Which fungus is particularly known for causing damping off in seedlings?

The fungus known for causing damping off in seedlings is Rhizoctonia solani. This disease primarily affects young plants, particularly during the seedling stage, leading to seed decay or pre-emergence damping off, where seedlings fail to emerge from the soil. If the seedlings do manage to sprout, post-emergence damping off can occur, which manifests as a rotting of the stem just below the soil surface, causing plants to fall over and die.

Rhizoctonia solani thrives in moist, poorly drained soils and can spread rapidly under favorable conditions. The presence of this pathogen poses a significant risk in nursery and greenhouse settings, where crowded conditions and high humidity can promote its spread, making it critical for management practices to focus on soil health, drainage, and sanitation to reduce its incidence.

Considering the other fungi listed, while Botrytis cinerea is known for causing gray mold on mature plants and Fusarium oxysporum is associated with wilt diseases in various crops, they are not primarily known for damping off in seedlings. Aspergillus niger typically affects mature plant parts and produces toxins rather than directly causing damping off symptoms. Thus, Rhizoctonia solani is distinctly recognized for its role in damping off, emphasizing its