Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a fungal plant pathogen that can cause diseases such as white mould, stem rot and head rot, resulting in significant yield losses in crops. Early disease symptoms include soft, watersoaked lesions that lead to the wilting of infected plants’ stems and branches. Dead tissue on the host plants looks as though it has been bleached. The white ‘fluffy’ mycelium, the vegetative part of a fungus, manifests either externally or internally.
The mycelium forms the survival structure of the fungus. Sclerotia are the hard, dark, resting bodies of fungi; they consist of a mass of hyphal threads and can remain dormant in the soil for long periods.
“S. sclerotiorum causes direct losses in terms of yield and indirect losses through reduced crop quality and diminished grade quality because of reduced seed size and seed germination, as well as substandard oil content,” explains Dr Miekie Human, research and policy officer at Grain SA.
WIDE RANGE OF CROPS AT RISK
According to Human, S. sclerotiorum is not host-specific, and over 500 plant species, including weeds, are susceptible to it. In South Africa, the most notable crops affected by the disease are soya bean, sunflower and canola. Cabbage, cauliflower, dry beans, tomatoes, peas and potatoes can also be targeted. Sclerotinia diseases occur across South Africa.
Denne historien er fra June 11, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra June 11, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
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The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
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More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
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