Stem Rot of Tawny Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) Caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in Korea

ABSTRACT

In July 2002, a destructive stem rot of tawny daylily(Hemerocallis fulva) was occurred sporadically in exhibition farm of Gyeongsangnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services located in Hamyang-gun, Korea. The fungus also caused collar and crown rot, and systemic wilt or blight of whole plant. White mycelium spread over stems and petioles of infected plants and sclerotia were formed on the old lesions and near the soil surface. The optimum temperature for mycelial growth and scierotial formations was 30degrees C on PDA. The mycelial width ranged 4.2~10.4microm and the color was white, usually many narrow mycelial strand grew in the aerial mycelium and formed clamp connection. The shape of sclerotia was spherical and 1.0~3.2 mm in diameter. The fungus was isolated repeatedly from the infected tissues and confirmed its pathogenicity to Hemerocallis fulva and identified as Sclerotium rolfsii. This is the first report on the stem rot of H. fulva caused by S. rolfsii in Korea.