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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Salinas, California » Crop Improvement and Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #188584
Title: SOUTHERN SCLEROTIUM ROOT ROT

Author
item Lewellen, Robert
item BIANCARDI, ENRICO - ROVIGO, ITALY

Submitted to: Genetics and Breeding of Sugar Beet
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/20/2004
Publication Date: 3/20/2005
Citation: Lewellen, R.T., Biancardi, E. 2005. Southern sclerotium root rot. p. 100. In (eds. E. Biancardi, L.G. Campbell, G.N. Skaracis, & M. DeBiagg) Genetics and Breeding of Sugar Beet. Science Publishers, Inc. Enfield (NH), USA. (Book Chapter)

Interpretive Summary: "Southern Sclerotium Root Rot" is a book chapter that reviews the genetics and breeding for resistance to Sclerotium rolfsii.

Technical Abstract: Southern sclerotium root rot, caused by the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii, is a problem in warm beet-growing areas, especially when sugar beet is grown as a winter crop. The effects of the disease on the plants are devastating: a blackish rot develops rapidly in the taproots, which become completely covered by thick strainds of white mycelium. Several dark brown spherical sclerotia subsequently appear in this cottony layer. The disease can develop rapidly in piled beets, causing severe postharvest storage losses, and subsequently problems in processing (slicing, diffusion etc.). In some production areas, infection by Sclerotium may occur prior to seedling emergence. Attempts to control the disease with chemicals, crop rotation, or biological control agents have not been successful. As of now, no effective control method is available. Heavy applications of nitrogen fertilizer appear to reduce the damage caused by southern sclerotium root rot.