White Mold/ Sclerotinia Stem Rot

9. White Mold/ Sclerotinia Stem Rot

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum fungus attacks the base of the stem and may cause death of plant at all stages. The fungus is common during hot and humid condition.

Symptoms and damages

•Dark brown lesions with white hair like and surrounded with small round balls like at the base of the stem. • Sudden wilting of plant.

White mold on the base of the pepper stem

Management

• Deep ploughing • Remove diseased crops • Change planting date within a season. • Practice crop rotation with non-host plants for 2-3years e.g. maize, sorghum, millet • Apply fungicides with chlorothalonil or azoxystrobin+difenoconazole once first symptoms appear.

Possible confusions

• Gray mold • Damping off