What is Sclerotinia blight?

Sclerotinia Blight (Sclerotinia minor) Sclerotinia blight, caused by a soilborne fungus is a destructive mid- to late-season disease of peanuts. The disease is widespread in Oklahoma and in Texas.

Where is Sclerotinia sclerotiorum found?

Host Range and Distribution Sclerotinia sclerotiorum has a world-wide distribution, however it is most prevalent in cool moist regions (2). The fungus causes disease on such crops as tobacco, vegetables, and ornamentals.

What causes Sclerotinia?

Sclerotinia stem rot, also referred to as white mold, is caused by the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The fungus survives from year to year as hard dark structures called sclerotia. Sclerotia are variously shaped bodies of tightly packed white mycelium covered with a dark, melanized protective coat.

How do you treat Sclerotinia?

Management of Sclerotinia occurs at several stages of crop development. Techniques include: making the crop microclimate less conducive for infection, utilization of effective fungicides to protect susceptible plants, elimination of sources of inoculum, and selection of resistant plants.

Who discovered fire blight in apple?

Eventually, a U.S. Department of Agriculture scientist named Erwin F. Smith and colleagues overcame the opposition and carried on additional research in the early 1900s that proved that bacteria cause diseases in many plants. The fire blight bacterium, Erwinia amylovora, was later named for him.

What type of fungus is Sclerotinia sclerotiorum?

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a plant pathogenic fungus and can cause a disease called white mold if conditions are conducive. S. sclerotiorum can also be known as cottony rot, watery soft rot, stem rot, drop, crown rot and blossom blight.

What is stem rot disease?

Stem rot is a disease caused by a fungus infection in the stem. Fungus that causes stem rot are in the Rhizoctonia, Fusarium or Pythium genera. Stem rot can readily infect crops that are in their vegetative or flowering stages. The disease can survive up to five years in the soil.

How do I get rid of Sclerotinia stem rot?

Fungicides are the most effective management tool to control sclerotinia stem rot in canola when the risk of infection is high.

How do you prevent Sclerotinia rot?

Sclerotinia management | How do you manage sclerotinia?

  1. Fungicides are the most effective management tool to control sclerotinia stem rot in canola when the risk of infection is high.
  2. Registered fungicides are antagonistic and lethal to S.

What kills fire blight?

Reduce new infections by spraying an antibiotic such as streptomycin sulfate (Ferti-lome® Fire Blight Spray) on flowers or shoots before the bacteria infect them. A copper sulfate fungicide (Bonide® Copper Fungicide) is also an option when applied several times while the blossoms are open.

Can fire blight affect humans?

These discolored oozing patches contain masses of the fire blight bacteria and heavy infections can be fatal.

How to get rid of Sclerotinia in a field?

Correct timing is essential to get the most effective control. Apply registered fungicide. If the field has a history of sclerotinia, consider spraying as a precaution when the row has half closed. More than one spray may be needed. Try to avoid the continued use of chlorothalonil to control leaf diseases in fields where sclerotinia is a problem.

When does a Sclerotinia plant start to wilt?

Usually the first sign of sclerotinia is a wilting branch or bush. The plant will begin to show visible wilting only after it has been infected for many days. Early detection is essential. Both types of sclerotinia produce fluffy, white, mould-like cotton wool.

What kind of rot does a sclerotia have?

Sclerotia are ternally in the stem pith or on the outside of the stem. Leaf and petiole rot, flower or blossom blight (e.g., bean, beet, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, chrysanthemum, endive, lettuce, stephanotis).

What are the signs and symptoms of Sclerotinia disease?

Signs and Symptoms The first symptom of the disease is a brown lesion shortly followed by a characteristic fluffy, white growth (mycelium) of the Sclerotiniafungus on infected host plants. Resting bodies (globular, flattened, elongated, or irregular in shape) called sclerotia are produced in the white mycelial growth. DEPARTM ENT OF CR OP SCIENCES