Southern Blight of Soybean

Scientific Name

Sclerotium rolfsii

Background

A soybean field in Jones County was being scouted, and it was observed that 10% of the field was affected by damping off in patches in the field. The field is a high area, dry, and sunny. A sample was submitted to the PDIC for diagnosis.

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 to disease. This disease is caused by Sclerotium 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

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