Crop Clinic

In oilseed rape, the disease is seen late on in the season when stems die back. Sclerotinia is a soilborne disease which can cause bleached lesions on the stem from mid May onwards. Under wet or humid conditions, a white fungus may develop on the lesions. Within the stem cavity, of the infected area, white bodies which later turn black can be seen. These are the sclerotia which are the resting bodies of the fungus. Affected stems may senesce early, resulting in white heads and lodging. Yield losses can be high if infections are severe.

In potatoes, the disease can lead to early dieback of the haulm. On close inspection, bleached lesions can be seen at the base of the stem. Inside the stem you can find the white fungus and black fungal resting bodies.  Occasionally, sclerotinia can attack the tubers casuing a rot in store.