An overview of the Sclerotinia sclerotiorum pathosystem in soybean: impact, fungal biology, and current management strategies

Abstract

Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR), caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is one of the most important diseases of soybean. Disease management is complicated by the long-term survival of sclerotia in the soil and the absence of resistance in elite, commercial cultivars. Furthermore, the lifecycle of S. sclerotiorum in soybean fields is highly dependent on weather conditions, leading to a highly sporadic occurrence of the disease over seasons and an aggregated distribution within fields. Management relies on a multi-pronged approach of combining partially resistant cultivars with cultural practices, such as altering row spacing and planting population, along with chemical control. These control measures are constrained by economic trade-offs, incomplete efficacy of chemicals, and a lack of understanding of application timing for fungicides. Newer tools have been developed to improve management, such as disease prediction models that can assist farmers in making decisions about fungicide application. This review aims to introduce the Sclerotinia pathosystem in soybean, while covering the complicated biology of S. sclerotiorum that leads to the need for integrated management by soybean farmers.

Expression of candidate genes related to white mold resistance in common beans

“…This disease is especially prevalent in irrigated crops during winter, when cooler temperature and higher humidity conditions are favorable for the development of the pathogen. Disease progress may vary according to genotype, plant density, soil type, and amount of irrigation (Abawi and Grogan 1979;Ferreira et al 2019;Willbur et al 2019).…”

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles employing Trichoderma harzianum with enzymatic stimulation for the control of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

“…In the United States, the disease caused losses of about 2.8 million tons of soybean between 2010 and 2014, the equivalent to 1.2 billion dollars, with a devastating epidemic in 2009 29,30 . Yield losses in different crops are also observed in Canada, India and several european countries 27 . Considering the severity of the impacts of S .…”

“…S . sclerotiorum affects the production of crops including soybean, tomato, lettuce, beans, and sunflower, among others, causing agriculture economical losses in several countries around the world, including all the continents 26,27 . Resistant structures (sclerotia) can remain viable in the soil for decades and can be widely distributed, leading to plant diseases that cause annual economic losses of around 1.47 billion dollars in Brazil 28 .…”

Biocontrol Potential of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Physiological Changes in Soybean in Response to Butia archeri Palm Rhizobacteria

“…Soybean plants are often affected by S. sclerotiorum, a necrophytic parasite [16] that causes Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR). In the specific case of soybean, SSR can limit the productivity of the plant severely under favorable environmental conditions [17]. The affected plants produce fewer, smaller seeds [18,19] as a result of the ringing of the stem and the rupturing of the xylem and phloem.…”