Environmental factors Associated with Disease Development of Garlic White Rot Caused by Two Species of Sclerotium

This study was conducted to elucidate effect of environmental factors on the development of white rot. In order to identify the causal agents causing white rot of Allium crops, we compared DNA profiles of a representative isolate, Sclerotium cepivorum, introduced from foreign country with Korean isolates using UP-PCR. As a result, Sclerotium isolates forming round-shaped sclerotia were identified as Sclerotium cepivorum pertaining in UP-PCR b group and Sclerotium isolates farming anamorphic-shaped sclerotia presumed to be a novel species of Sclerotium based on DNA profiles of UP-PCR. There was a big difference in DNA band pattern between two species of Sclerotium isolated in Korea. Electron micrographs of scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope showed morphological differences in sclerotial surface structure and rind layers between two species of Sclerotium. There were more wrinkles and pore spaces on sclerotial surface of Sclerotium sp. forming anamorphic-shaped sclerotia than that of Sclerotium cepivorum forming round-shaped sclerotia. Both of two white rot pathogens grew well at the temperature range of with optimal temperature of . Sclerotia of the two pathogens were well formed at and well germinated at the temperature range of , Effect of pre-incubation of sclerotia on destruction of sclerotial dormancy of two pathogens was evaluated through storing sclerotia under different temperature condition. The sclerotia of the two pathogens showed an increased capacity to germinate on potato dextroise agar when the sclerotia were incubated for 7 days at after pre-treatment at for 7 days. At that time, germination rate of Sclerotium sp. and 5. cepivorum was , respectively. Flooding period and treatment temperature had an effect on sclerotial survival rate of the two pathogens. As flooding period and treatment temperature increased, sclerotial germination rate of the two pathogens decreased. It was confirmed that soil humidity played an important role on development of white rot. It was the highest disease incidence of garlic white rot when garlic were sown at potted soils infested with the two pathogens and adjusted soil humidity to (field moisture capacity, about -300 mb). As soil humidity increase or decrease based on of soil humidity, disease incidence decreased move and more.