Southern Blight

Southern Blight is a plant disease caused by the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii. This disease is prevalent in agricultural and horticultural crops in warm, moist climates, particularly in the southern regions of the United States.

Overview

Sclerotium rolfsii, the causative agent of Southern Blight, is a soil-borne fungus that can survive in the soil for several years. The fungus produces sclerotia, small, hard structures that can withstand adverse environmental conditions. When conditions are favorable, the sclerotia germinate and produce mycelium, which infects the plant.

Symptoms

The initial symptoms of Southern Blight include wilting, yellowing, and browning of the plant. As the disease progresses, a white, cottony growth may appear at the base of the plant, which is the mycelium of the fungus. The fungus may also produce sclerotia on the plant, which appear as small, tan to brown structures.

Management

Management of Southern Blight involves a combination of cultural practices and chemical control. Cultural practices include crop rotation, deep plowing, and sanitation to reduce the amount of sclerotia in the soil. Chemical control involves the use of fungicides to kill the fungus.

Economic Impact

Southern Blight can cause significant yield losses in affected crops. The disease is particularly damaging to peanuts, soybeans, and tomatoes, among other crops. The economic impact of Southern Blight is significant, particularly in regions where these crops are major agricultural commodities.

See Also

• Plant Pathology
• Fungus
• Crop Rotation
• Peanut
• Soybean
• Tomato