Biology and epidemiology of peanut soilborne pathogens in Oklahoma

Authors: Melouk, Hassan; DAMICONE, J - OKLAHOMA STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Peanut Research at Oklahoma State University
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/10/2005
Publication Date: 1/15/2006
Citation: Melouk, H.A., Damicone, J.P. 2006. Biology and epidemiology of peanut soilborne pathogens in Oklahoma. In: Partners and Progress – Peanut Research at OSU, 2005. Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, P-1013. p. 22-27.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Pressure from soil borne diseases limits yields and increases production costs to Oklahoma peanut growers. Sclerotinia blight, caused by the fungus Sclerotinia minor, and southern blight, caused by the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii, are the most economically damaging peanut diseases in Oklahoma. The causal pathogen, S. minor, is capable of surviving in field soils in the form of sclerotia for several years even in the absence of peanut plants. Also, peanut plants can carry the fungus therefore providing a potential vehicle for spreading the disease. Eclipta, which has become a well-established weed pest in irrigated Oklahoma peanut fields, can be infected with the Sclerotinia fungus and thus provides an additional mode for maintaining the fungus in field soils in the absence of peanut plants. Also, S. rolfsii has a wide host range that includes weed species. Therefore, the objective of this research is to explain the role of weed species in maintaining S. minor and S. rolfsii in field soils. Results of this research are important in developing effective integrated strategies for managing these two important diseases.