Plant Pathology (2018) 67, 1286-1295

A. Taylor, E. Coventry, C. Handy, J.S. West, C.S. Young and J.P. Clarkson (2018)
Inoculum potential of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum sclerotia depends on isolate and host plant
Plant Pathology 67 (6), 1286-1295
Abstract: The soilborne fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infects many important crop plants. Central to the success of this pathogen is the production of sclerotia, which enables survival in soil and constitutes the primary inoculum. This study aimed to determine how crop plant type and S. sclerotiorum isolate impact sclerotial production and germination and hence inoculum potential. Three S. sclerotiorum isolates (L6, L17, L44) were used to inoculate plants of bean, carrot, lettuce, oilseed rape (OSR) and potato, and the number and weight of sclerotia per plant quantified. Carpogenic germination of sclerotia collected from different hosts was also assessed for L6. Production of sclerotia was dependent on both crop plant type and S. sclerotiorum isolate, with OSR and lettuce supporting the greatest number (42–122) and weight (1.6–3.0 g) of sclerotia per plant. The largest sclerotia were produced on OSR (33–66 mg). The three S. sclerotiorum isolates exhibited a consistent pattern of sclerotial production irrespective of crop type; L6 produced large numbers of small sclerotia while L44 produced smaller numbers of large sclerotia, with L17 intermediate between the two. Germination rate and percentage was greatest for larger sclerotia (4.0–6.7 mm) and also varied between host plants. Combining sclerotial production data and typical field crop densities suggested that infected carrot and OSR could produce the greatest number (3944 m^-2) and weight (73 g m^-2) of S. sclerotiorum sclerotia, respectively, suggesting these crops potentially contribute a greater increase in inoculum. This information, once further validated in field trials, could be used to inform future crop rotation decisions.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Jonathan S. West

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Sclerotinia sclerotiorum