Sclerotinia minor
Sclerotinia minor
Names:
Brassica White Mould
Clover Sclerotinia
Description:
White, cottony, dense fungal growth on heads and stems, sometimes with tiny black spore bodies (sclerotia). Underlying plant tissue is soft and wet.
Sclerotia of are 1-2 mm long, oval to spherical and often clumped together.
Species Affected:
Lupins, Clover, Brassicas, Canola.
Brussels Sprouts and Cabbages are very susceptible.
Biology:
Favoured by cool, wet conditions and cultivation. Tolerates a wide temperature range.
Most common in autumn and spring on moist soils.
Tends to initially attack old or decaying leaves and tissue.
Sclerotia can survive for many years in the soil.
Often builds up on susceptible hosts such as legumes, Capeweed, Lettuce and Potato.
Spread by movement of soil containing spores.
Life Cycle:
Origin and History:
Distribution:
Significance:
Very damaging to Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage heads.
Damaging to Lupins.
Management and Control:
Deep cultivation to bury sclerotia laden soil.
Rotation with resistant cereal or grass crops helps reduce the severity of the infection.
Apply fungicides.
Related and Similar Species:
Sclerotia Rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) have larger sclerotia that are 5-10 mm long, irregular shape and look like rat faeces.
References:
1206
Acknowledgments:
Collated by HerbiGuide. Phone 08 98444064 for more information.