Southern blight
scouted July 24, 2024
- Scientific Name
- Athelia rolfsii
- Background
- Soybeans in Johnston County were scouted variety Stine 5.8 and observed 70% of the field was affected, by dieback and yellowing in patches in the field. The problem showed up when the ground got wet, but looking over the field, it had been there a while, as some plants were completely dried up.
- 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
