Southern Blight of Tomato
Sclerotium rolfsii
Tomatofungal
A hot-weather soil fungus that girdles the stem at the soil line, causing sudden wilt.
Symptoms
White, fan-like fungal growth and small tan-to-brown sclerotia (resting bodies) at the soil line, girdling the stem and causing sudden plant wilt.
Favorable conditions
- •Hot soil-surface temperatures (30-35°C)
- •High humidity at the soil surface
- •Mulch or debris touching the stem base
Management
- 1Deep-plow crop debris after harvest
- 2Rotate with grasses/cereals, non-hosts
- 3Apply labeled soil fungicides or PCNB where available
- 4Keep mulch away from direct stem contact
- 5Trichoderma-based biological products can help suppress the fungus
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