Southern blight
scouted July 26, 2024
- Scientific Name
- Athelia rolfsii
- Background
- Soybeans in Hyde County, variety Becks 4337XF, were scouted and observed to be affected by damping off in random parts of the field, with 10% of the field being affected. A sample was submitted to the PDIC for diagnosis. The field has been very wet due to the rain.
- Conclusion
- Southern blight of soybean, also known as southern stem rot, was identified as one of the diseases affecting this field. It's usually not a common problem in North Carolina, but it can locally cause damage when environmental conditions (hot and wet) are conducive for disease. This disease is caused by Athelia rolfsii, a fungus that produces sclerotia (overwintering structures) that can survive in the soil for long periods of time. When wet, warm conditions are present, sclerotia germinate, and the hyphae invade the host just below or at the soil line. Initial symptoms include yellowing and wilting and light brown lesions on the stem
- Resources
