Stem Rot of Stachys sieboldii Caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in Korea

Stem rot of Stachys sieboldii occurred sporadically in the farmer`s fields at Shindeung-myeon, Sancheonggun, Gyeongnam province in Korea. The infected leaves and stems are water-soaked, rotted, wilted and finally leads to the death of the whole plants. The sclerotia, 1-3 mm, white to brown, globoid, were formed on lesions and the surface of soil line. The optimum temperature for mycelial growth and sclerotia formation was on potato dextrose agar. The typical clamp connections were observed in the hyphae of the fungus. On the basis of mycological characteristics and pathogenicity to host plants, this fungus was identified as Sclerotium rolfsii Saccardo. This is the first report of stem rot on S. sieboldii caused by S. rolfsii in Korea.