First Report of Sclerotium rolfsii in Dandelion in Parana, Brazil

Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) is a medicinal plant that occurs in various countries and is also reported as an invasive plant in some parts of the world. Recently, a severe case of southern blight was observed in dandelion in the Medicinal Plant House at the State University of Maringa, Umuarama, State of Parana, Brazil. A dense, cottony mycelial growth and the formation of sclerotia were observed on the plants. The fungus was isolated, inoculated into healthy plants and re-isolated. Samples were sequenced for rDNA regions ITS4 and ITS5. The inoculated plants presented symptoms of southern blight, beginning at the base of the plant and eventually killing the plant. DNA analysis revealed a 99% species identity index for Athelia rolfsii (anamorph: Sclerotium rolfsii).