Lessons learned from Sporidesmium, a fungal agent for control of sclerotia-forming fungal pathogens.

Abstract

Soil-inhabiting fungi such as Sclerotinia minor and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum attack a wide variety of crops, causing severe economic problems. The pathogens survive for many years in soil by forming black, seed-like resting structures called sclerotia. These are very difficult to eradicate once they have infested a soil. This chapter details how the thorough understanding of the life cycle and ecology of the fungal pathogen allowed for discovery and implementation of a fungal hyperparasite, Sporidesmium sclerotivorum, into a disease control strategy for lettuce production.