First report of Sclerotinia rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on some vegetable crops in Korea

Abstract

Sclerotinia rot occurred severely on some vegetable crops grown in Namyangju, Yangpyung, and Yangju areas in Korea in 2001-2002. The crops infected with Sclerotinia sp. were Adenophora remotiflora, Armoracia lapathifolia, Angelica acutiloba, Angelica archangelica, Anthriscus sylvestris, Aster tataricus, Beta vulgaris var. cicla, Brassica campestris var. marinosa, Brassica juncea var. laciniata, Chichorium intybus, Lactuca indica var. dracoglossa, Lactuca sativa var. oak-leaf, Petroselinum crispum, and Phyteuma japonicum. The fungus associated with the disease was identified as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, based on the morphological characteristics of the pathogen. The symptoms were water-soaked spots that enlarged later and became a watery soft rot. Infected parts became yellow and then turned brown, followed by death of the whole plant. White mycelia developed on the upper petioles and leaves and on the soil where these plant parts lay. Then black sclerotia in variable size and shape formed from the mycelial mass. Pathogenicity of the fungus was proven by artificially inoculating each crop. This is the first report of Sclerotinia rot on the listed vegetable crops in Korea.