Importance of Coniothyrium minitans in survival of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in wilted sunflower

Abstract

The relationship between Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, causal agent of wilt or basal stem rot of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), and its hyperparasite Coniothyrium minitans was investigated in a sunflower field naturally infested with the two organisms. Sclerotia of S. sclerotiorum were collected biweekly from roots and basal stems of wilted plants and analyzed for infection by the hyperparasite. The results showed that C. minitans parasitized and killed the sclerotia produced on the root surface. This hyperparasite continued to parasitize the pathogen inside the root and upwards into the base of the stem, thus infecting the sclerotia produced at these sites. By the end of the growing season, 59%, 76%, and 29% of sclerotia on the root surface, inside the root, and inside the stem, respectively, had been killed by the hyperparasite, while 4%, 9%, and 68% of the sclerotia at these locations were healthy. Death of the rest of the sclerotia was due to organisms other than C. minitans. The data also indicate that C. minitans is more effective in parasitizing sclerotia produced on or inside the root than those produced in the basal stem.