Stem Rot of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) Caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in Korea

During the early spring of 2007 to 2009, stem rot of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) caused by Sclerotium rolfsii occurred in seedling stage grown in plastic film house at Iksan. In seedling stage of sweet potato, symptoms were initially appeared in yellowing and then the seedlings were eventually wilted. The fungus produced abundant white silky mycelium on infected tissues and soil line. Seedlings were very susceptible and died quickly once they were infected. The whole area of a petridish was rapidly covered with white mycelium on agar medium. Sclerotia began to produce after 7 days of mycelial growth and white sclerotia quickly melanized to a dark brown coloration. The causal agent isolated from the diseased plants was identified as Sclerotium rolfsii Saccardo on the basis of the morphological and cultural characteristics. All isolates of S. rolfsii caused similar symptoms on the host petioles by artificial inoculation.