First Report of Sclerotinia White Rot Caused by Sclerotinia nivalis on Panax ginseng in Korea

Abstract

Sclerotinia white rot disease was observed on 5 and 6-year-old ginseng (Panax ginseng) roots in Hongchun, Cheorwon, and Yanggu, Gangwon Province, Korea from 2006 to 2010. Symptoms included a brownish watery soft rot of the roots, and black sclerotia were often found on the rotten roots. The causal agent of the disease was identified as Sclerotinia nivalis based on cultural characteristics and sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA and β-tubulin gene with 100% sequence similarity. Pathogenicity tests were performed on 2-year-old ginseng roots with mycelium plugs without wounds. A watery soft rot of the roots and black sclerotia were observed 10 days after inoculation. These symptoms were identical to those observed on naturally infected roots. The same fungus was re-isolated from the lesions induced by artificial inoculation. This is the first report of sclerotinia white rot caused by S. nivalis on P. ginseng in Korea.

Proteomics research and related functional classification of liquid sclerotial exudates of Sclerotinia ginseng

“…Because the roots are the main medicinal parts of ginseng, root disease by various soil pathogens including Cylindrocarpon , Pythium , and Sclerotinia ( Cho et al, 2013 ) cause inestimable economic losses. In fact, S. ginseng has already given rise to a serious epidemic disease in northeast China, with an incidence ranging from 10% to 15%, and up to 20% in severe cases.…”

White rot of Panax quinquefolius caused by Sclerotinia nivalis

“…S . nivalis can infect a number of plant species, including Ajuga reptan s, Aralia elata , Angelica acutiloba , Arctium lappa , Atractylodes japonica , Chrysanthemum morifolium , Daucus carota , Lactuca sativa , Panax ginseng , Plantago lanceolata , Pulsatilla koreana , and Sedum sarmentosum (Cho et al, 2013; Fan et al, 2012; Lee et al, 2010; Li et al, 2000; Saito, 1997; Xu et al, 2015; Zhou et al, 2012). Present research indicated that S .…”

“…TA B L E 3 Disease index (DI) at the last disease assessment and relative area under the disease progress curve (RAUDPC) on different hosts caused by Sclerotinia nivalis sarmentosum (Cho et al, 2013;Fan et al, 2012;Lee et al, 2010;Li et al, 2000;Saito, 1997;Xu et al, 2015;Zhou et al, 2012). Present research indicated that S. nivalis was able to infect 43 different hosts, including vegetables, fruits, oil crops and flowers from 10 families of Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Liliaceae, Orchidaceae, Rosaceae, and Solanaceae, suggesting a wide host range for S. nivalis.…”