Sclerotinia trifoliorum

Sclerotinia_trifoliorum

Sclerotinia trifoliorum

Sclerotinia trifoliorum is a plant pathogen that causes white mold disease in various legume crops. It primarily affects clover and alfalfa plants, leading to significant economic losses in agriculture.

Symptoms

Infected plants exhibit symptoms such as wilting, stem rot, and the presence of white fluffy mycelium on the affected tissues. The disease progresses rapidly under favorable environmental conditions, spreading through spore dispersal.

Disease Cycle

Sclerotinia trifoliorum overwinters in the soil as sclerotia, which germinate in the spring to produce apothecia. These apothecia release ascospores that infect the host plants, leading to the development of mycelium within the plant tissues. The fungus produces sclerotia on the infected plant parts, completing the disease cycle.

Management

Effective management strategies for controlling Sclerotinia trifoliorum include crop rotation, planting resistant cultivars, and practicing good sanitation measures to reduce the spread of the pathogen. Fungicides can also be used to manage the disease, especially during periods of high disease pressure.

Importance

White mold disease caused by Sclerotinia trifoliorum poses a significant threat to legume crops worldwide. It can lead to yield losses and reduced quality of forage crops, impacting the agricultural industry.