The sunflower is a symbol of sunshine and warmth, but the plant’s health and yield can be threatened by a disease known as sclerotia. In this article, let’s focus on what is sclerotia, how to spot its first signs on the sunflower surface, why do they occur, how does sclerotia affect the quality of the crop, what factors contribute to the spread of the disease, how does soil biological profiling help prevent the spread of the disease?.

What is sunflower sclerotia?

Sunflower sclerotia or white root rot Sclerotica sclerotiorum is a very common fungal disease that most often affects sunflower fields, causing the formation of hard fungal bodies called sclerotia. These bodies can live in the soil for many years, infecting new plants when conditions are favourable. White rot affects plants throughout the growing season, but during the period of crop maturation, the likelihood of scurvy infection increases significantly.

How the first signs of the disease can be seen on the surface of the plant?

 It is possible to distinguish between root, stem and basket forms of sclerotia. Under conditions of excessive soil moisture, the root form can develop, the roots of the sunflower are too soft, covered with a white coating. This coating is the mycelium of the pathogen, if the lesion is too deep, the seeds die in the soil and do not appear on the surface.

Stem sclerotia can occur on the stems of both young and mature plants. The surface of young plants near the roots, leaves, and stems become brown, begin to rot, a white coating forms, the stem core may dry out, sclerotia form in its cavity, and the plant eventually withers and dies.The basket form of sclerotia appears as a brown rotting spot on the back of the basket. Soon the spot spreads downwards over the entire surface of the stem, causing the damaged tissue to become wet and rot. The mycelium of the fungus infects the seeds and the sunflower seedling. Sclerotia can form on the surface of the seeds and in the spaces between them.

Furthermore, sunflower crops become thinned out as a result of plant death, and the oil content in the seeds decreases by at least 10%, which can lead to a sharp decline in seed germination rates and a significant reduction in sowing quality. If timely measures are not taken to prevent the spread of sclerotia, sunflower yields may decline.

The following main factors can be identified that influence the spread of the disease:

– Increased level of soil moisture;

– Violation of the rules of soil cultivation;

– Sowing seeds affected by sclerotia.

According to the experience of Green Clinic Life Science, biological soil profiling can prevent the spread of sclerotia in sunflower because it is possible to use this innovative technique:

The experience of Green Clinic Life Science shows that biological soil profiling can prevent the spread of sclerotia in sunflower due to the use of this innovative technique:

1. Find out whether the sclerotia pathogen is present in the soil of a particular field before planting the seeds;
2. To make the sunflower growing process more predictable and sustainable;
3. To select crop varieties with a resistance profile to the disease and other adverse climatic environmental factors.
4. Reduce business costs through the rational use of organic mineral fertilisers.

Finally, keep in mind that it is always easier to prevent and eliminate a plant disease at an early stage than to spend extra money later on to eliminate the negative consequences for the crop.

Sunflower sclerotia, or white root rot, is a serious problem, but with the right knowledge and techniques, its impact can be reduced. Investment in research and development of new solutions is essential to ensure a sustainable future for sunflower fields.