ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib) deBary causes root rot and necrosis in sugar beet in Moorhead, MN, USA
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1
Plant Pathology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, USA
2
Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory, USDA/ARS, Beltsville, MD, USA
3
Plant Diagnostic Lab, North Dakota State University, Fargo, USA
4
Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, Fargo, USA
A - Research concept and design; B - Collection and/or assembly of data; C - Data analysis and interpretation; D - Writing the article; E - Critical revision of the article; F - Final approval of article
Submission date: 2021-06-24
Acceptance date: 2021-09-13
Online publication date: 2021-12-20
Corresponding author
Mohamed F. R. Khan
Plant Pathology, North Dakota State University and
University of Minnesota, Fargo, USA
Journal of Plant Protection Research 2021;61(4):384-391
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Sugar beet is a major sugar yielding crop in the states of Minnesota (MN) and North Da-
kota (USA). Sugar beet root samples collected from Moorhead, MN in September 2020
had typical rot symptoms along with whitish mycelia growth and blackish sclerotia on the
external surface of the root. Pure, sterile cultures were obtained from infected roots. Scle
rotinia sclerotiorum was identified based on morphological features and further confirmed
molecularly by sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS) region and matching
homology with reported ITS of the fungus. Pathogenicity of S. sclerotiorum was confirmed
through mycelial inoculation of seeds and roots under laboratory and greenhouse condi-
tions. Inoculated seeds showed a range of symptoms that included pre- and post-emergence
damping off, wilting, black discoloration of roots, constricted collar regions and stunted
seedling growth. Under laboratory conditions, roots were artificially wounded using a cork
borer and inoculated by mycelial plug. This resulted in noticeable root decay and growth of
whitish, cottony mycelia and sclerotia externally. Transverse sections of the diseased root
showed brown to black discoloration and rotting of internal tissue. Root inoculation of
4-week old sugar beet plants was achieved by depositing pathogen colonized barley grains
near roots in the greenhouse, resulting in brown to black lesions and necrosis of root tissue
when evaluated at 28 days post inoculation. The S. sclerotiorum was re-isolated from inocu-
lated roots showing infection and identical pure isolates of the pathogen were recovered
from field samples. These findings could be useful for sugar beet growers in Minnesota,
allowing better management of this pathogen under field and storage conditions before its
widespread future occurrence.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to acknowledge the USDA-
-ARS agreement (Agreement 58-8042-8-064), the
Sugar Beet Research and Education Board of Min-
nesota and North Dakota (SREB) and Plant Pathol-
ogy Department, North Dakota State University,
Fargo, ND, USA. We wish to thank the staff from the
M.F.R. Khan laboratory for their assistance in sampling
and isolation procedures during the research.
RESPONSIBLE EDITOR
Natasza Borodynko-Filas
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors have declared that no conflict of interests exist.
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