Southern blight
scouted Aug. 20, 2024
- Scientific Name
- Athelia rolfsii
- Background
- Soybeans in Johnston County were scouted, and it was observed that 5% of the field was affected by blight, browning, root rot, and stem rot in patches across the field. Low area, dry and sunny site. The site has been wet for a month, leading to sending the sample to the PDIC.
- 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 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, wilting, and light brown lesions on the stem
- Resources
