Causal Agent:
Sclerotium rolfsii, Sclerotium spp.
Susceptible Crops:
Affects all turfgrass, Canna, Chrysanthemum, Delphinium, Hosta
Symptoms:
- The pathogen invades through the roots and lower stem causing the lower leaves to turn yellow, followed by wilting and death of the plant
- Fans of white-cream color mycelium may be seen growing on the infected stems at or below the soil line along with clusters of small, round, seed-like fruiting bodies called Sclerotia
- Sclerotia are initially light tan in color, turning dark brown as they age and will persist in plant debris and soil for long periods causing new infections
