Why is Sclerotinia a problem❓
Sclerotiniosis, or white rot is one of the most widespread aggressive fungal diseases in sunflower, soybean, rapeseed, corn, vegetables, and more. The causative agent of the disease is the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The fungus forms sclerotia on the affected plant tissues — bodies of elongated or round shape composed of tightly intertwined mycelium threads.
There are 3 types of infection: underground, stem aboveground (head).
▪️ Underground — affects the root system and seedlings, covering them with a white coating that causes wilting and complete drying out. Affected plants significantly lag in growth as the absorption capacity of the affected roots is blocked. ➡️ Losses and plant fallouts can exceed 30%.
▪️ Stem form actively progresses during seedlings and throughout vegetation. On affected plants, cotyledons and leaves turn brown, and stems in the root zone rot, are covered with a white coating, blocking conductive bundles. The upper part of the stem with leaves wilts, and the plant dies. On mature plants, brown spots appear, tissue at the affected sites is destroyed, the stem’s core dries out, and sclerotia form in the cavity, blocking xylem and phloem. ➡️ Affected stems break, dry out, and die.
▪️ Head form is the most damaging. Plants are affected from the end of the flowering phase to maturity. The most damage occurs in warm and rainy weather. Brown spots appear on the inner part of the head, covering most of it. Eventually, the head with seeds becomes covered with a white coating, rots, and becomes covered with sclerotia. The mycelium quickly germinates and destroys the seed embryo, leading to a reduction in the weight of 1000 seeds and oil yield. ➡️ Crop losses range from 10 to 90%❗️
🟢 We recommend considering the biological product SKLEROSTOP by LIFE BIOCHEM™️ — a microbiological fungicidal product against white rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on sunflower and vegetable crops.
(Product composition: Trichoderma viride, Coniothyrium minitans)
How does it work?
The highly active strain Trichoderma viride inhibits the development of other phytopathogens.
Due to their high biological activity, microorganisms quickly colonize the surrounding space and actively participate in organic compound decomposition processes, ammonification and nitrification processes, enhancing phosphorus and potassium mobilization, enriching soil with mobile forms of nutrients.
Effective elimination of the white rot pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.
The product contains two strains of microorganisms — Trichoderma viride and Coniothyrium minitans. The combination is designed to ensure maximum product effectiveness. The quick and effective action of the product is due to its lack of competing strains, allowing Trichoderma viride and Coniothyrium minitans to immediately start fighting pathogens without being distracted by interactions with other strains.
Works at low temperatures (down to +2°C).
Increases organic matter content in soil.
Application methods:
▫️Soil application (pre-sowing treatment, during sowing) 2–5 L/ha.
▫️Spraying during vegetation: 1–2 L/ha.
Advantages of SKLEROSTOP:
✅ Wide range of microorganism strains.
✅ Clearly expressed preventive and therapeutic action.
✅ Environmentally safe
✅ Low cost of use.