Corticium rolfsii

Corticium rolfsii, also known as Athelia rolfsii or Sclerotium rolfsii, is a fungal pathogen that affects a wide range of plant species. It is a member of the Basidiomycota division and is known for causing southern blight, a disease that can have a significant impact on agricultural crops.

Taxonomy

The fungus was first described in 1911 by American mycologist Curtis Gates Lloyd as Corticium rolfsii. It was later reclassified as Athelia rolfsii in 1974 by Finnish mycologist Tuomo Niemelä. However, it is still commonly referred to as Sclerotium rolfsii, a name given by Chester W. Emmons in 1934.

Description

Corticium rolfsii is characterized by its white, cottony mycelium that can cover the soil surface and infected plant parts. It produces small, round sclerotia that are initially white but turn brown with age. These sclerotia can survive in the soil for several years, serving as a source of inoculum for future infections.

Pathogenicity

Corticium rolfsii is a necrotrophic pathogen, meaning it kills host tissue and then feeds on the dead material. It secretes enzymes that degrade plant cell walls, allowing the fungus to penetrate and colonize the host. The fungus can infect a wide range of plant species, including important agricultural crops such as peanuts, soybeans, and tomatoes.

Management

Management of Corticium rolfsii involves a combination of cultural practices and chemical control. Cultural practices include crop rotation, deep plowing, and removal of infected plant material. Chemical control involves the use of fungicides and soil fumigants. However, the fungus has shown resistance to some fungicides, making management challenging.

See also

• List of plant diseases
• Plant pathology
• Fungicide resistance