A Study of Stem Rot Disease Caused by Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum on Eggplants Grown in Plastic-houses and its Control

Abstract

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum de Bary is a Major of soil borne plant pathogen, it belongs to the Order: Heliotiales , Subclass : Euascomycetes , Class : Ascomycetes. This fungus is responsible for causing root, crown, and stem rot, Heavy planting and moist and cool environments (Optimum temperatures for growth range from 15 to 21 ℃) will produce an abundance of mycelium and sclerotia (plant pathology / NNU2016) Symptoms of infection are in the form of growths of cottony yarn? fungal white in color in the sites of injury, and then expand to include parts of the injury area.In addition to that, there is withering of leaves and their staying in contact with the affected branches, as well as attacking the fungus of the affected branch marrow and noticing the massive growth of fungal growths and the appearance of black stone bodies in the affected areas . Control of disease on crops can depend greatly on cultural, biological, and chemical practices, Cultural practices include planting crops at lower densities and higher row spacing to promote air circulation and create microclimates, and use resistance cultivars.