A COMPENDIUM OF TROPICAL PLANT DISEASES AND DISORDERS
SOUTHERN BLIGHT
SYMPTOMS
The pathogen attacks all portions of the plant but is mostly found on stems and leaves. Symptoms on stems are water soaked, necrotic lesions at or near the soil line.
White, coarse mycelium grows in a fan like pattern on the soil surface, leaves or stems
Southern blight, caused by Athelia rolfsii (formerly Sclerotium rolfsii ), is known to occur on many agronomic, vegetable, and ornamental crops in the Southern United States, and Central and South America. The disease is most common in tropical and subtropical climates. Southern blight remains a continuing problem today on many foliage crops including most recently English ivy (Italy), Mediterranean fan palm (Italy) and Areca palm (California).
FAVORABLE CONDITIONS
Disease development is favored by wet soil conditions, acidic pH (3.0 – 5.0), and temperatures between 77 – 95℉ A cutting rot can develop on contaminated plant materials during the summer months
SCLEROTIA OF SOUTHERN BLIGHT PATHOGEN
SOUTHERN BLIGHT ON IMPATIENS
SOUTHERN BLIGHT ON ZZ PLANT
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SOUTHERN BLIGHT POTHOS
SOUTHERN BLIGHT ON MOSS
SOUTHERN BLIGHT ON ROTTEN STEM
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