Sclerotinia rot of Malabar nightshade (Basella rubra L.), Lapsana apogonoides Maxim., Bishop's weed (Ammi majus L.), Blue lace flower (Didiscus caeruleus DC.) and Portulaca oleracea L. Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Abstract

Undescribed diseases of Malabar nightshade (Basella rubra L.), Lapsana apogonoides Maxim., Bishop's weed (Ammi majus L.), Blue lace flower (Didiscus caeruleus DC.) and Portulaca oleracea L. have occurred in Miyagi Prefecture from 1997, 1996, 1997, 1997 and 1997, respectively. Pathogenicity of isolates from all the diseased plants to each host plant was demonstrated by the inoculation tests and the isolates were identified as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Libert) de Bary on the basis of morphological and cultural characteristics. This is the first report on Sclerotinia rot of them in Japan.