Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
        (White Mold = Stalk Break)

Rotting of the neck or white mould disease is mainly caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and more rarely by S. minor.

The disease develops above all in a cold climate, with alternating dry and rainy periods, after delicate crops such as rapeseed or protein oil seeds.

• On crops : rotting of the stem-ends, covered with a whitish mycelium. The affected plants collapse and wither. The presence of large black sclerotia can often be noted inside the stems.

• On tubers : rot is relatively rare, starting on the stem-heel, with sclerotia present on the rot.

• Avoid rotation with too frequent return to delicate crops and limit the attacks of white mould disease in these crops;
• Avoid too much nitrogen.

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