Sclerotinia stem rot is a fungal disease that affects the roots and stems of cucumbers, leading to plant wilting and tissue death. This article from the “WORLD OF PLANTS” website discusses how to prevent this disease and methods of control.
Sclerotinia stem rot family
- Name of the disease: Sclerotic leg rot disease
- Scientific nameSclerotinia Stem Root
Vegetable crops such as zucchini, cucumber, cauliflower, potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce and okra. It is one of the most devastating diseases of plants grown in cold temperate regions and attacks plants in the field or during transportation and marketing.
Symptoms of sclerotinia stem rot
One of the most important distinctive symptoms of this disease is the appearance of cottony growths, which are fungal threads that form on the stem, leaves, or fruits. The affected area becomes soft and watery, and its color may change to brown, resulting in the leaves wilting and falling, as the infection prevents nutrients from reaching that part, and it forms... Later - on the white cotton growths there are black stone objects ranging in diameter from 0.5 to 2 cm. In the event that the seedlings are infected near the area where the plant contacts the soil, this results in the death of the seedlings. However, the secondary infection may lead to partial death of the plant, that is, in the place where the germs that cause the disease arrive.
Causes of sclerotinia stem rot
The disease is caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Libert) deBary, which is a fungus.
Suitable conditions for the spread of sclerotinia stem rot
High humidity and cold weather suit the development of the disease. The optimum temperature for the development of the disease is 18°C. Stone plants germinate in the cold, humid atmosphere when the temperature ranges from 12 to 20°C. Also, the availability of a thin layer of water on the surface of the plant is necessary for the germination of germs. Therefore, abundant irrigation water - especially the method of irrigation. Using sprayers - increases the chance of the disease spreading and infection developing
Sclerotinia stem rot disease development cycle
During the absence of the host, it lives in the form of stone bodies in the soil, and when these bodies germinate, they form mycelium threads, or ascidian spores, from which the initial infection begins, and the disease spores spread through rain-laden winds and through irrigation water. The fungus secretes pectic enzymes that in turn break down the cells, killing the cells before the fungus reaches them. Mushrooms can be raised in an artificial environment in the laboratory, and the bodies form in the white, cottony growth medium on the nutrient medium.
Losses from the spread of sclerotinia stem rot
This disease is one of the most important diseases of warehouses and causes loss in the plant as a result of the death of the part located after the point of infection, and may cause the death of the plant completely if the stem is infected.
Strategy to combat sclerotinia stem rot
Initial monitoring of the field, eliminating weeds on an ongoing basis, and not planting on land previously infected with weeds.
Preventive measures to prevent the occurrence of sclerotinia stem rot
Avoid plowing the land because not plowing reduces the chance of the disease developing and creating an agricultural cycle.
Recommendations for organic and chemical control of sclerotinia stem rot
- Use clean seeds that are free of stone objects and can be excluded by mechanical or manual sifting.
- Moderate irrigation and improve soil drainage.
- Treating small spaces using gas evaporators and solar energy for large spaces.
- Follow an agricultural cycle by planting plants that are not infected for a period of no less than five years.
- Ensure that the fruits or crop are free of infection before storing, inspect the crop immediately after harvesting, and preserve the fruits at the lowest possible level so that this does not affect the taste and flavour.
- Spray plants in the field with fungicides as soon as symptoms appear. Repeat spraying once every two weeks until the disease stops using Rovral-Ronilan-Sumisclex.
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the reviewer :
Stem rot - plantix
Garden and home pests - University of Jordan
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