Using 0.25 % sodium hypochlorite solution, pieces were
surface-sterilised for 4 min, washed thoroughly with sterile
distilled water, blotted between sterile filter papers and plated
on PDAmedium. Inoculated plates were incubated at 18–20 °C
for 10–15 days and examined daily to observe growth of the
causal mycelium. Formation of distinguishable sclerotia was
also noted and the cultures were purified using the hyphal tip
technique according to Booth (1977). Pure cultures were
maintained on PDA slants and kept in a refrigerator at 4 °C
as stock cultures for further tests.