Sclerotinia Rot of Cabbage

Abstract

Sclerotinia rot of cabbage (sometimes referred to as white mold) affects cabbage cultivars grown for sauerkraut, storage, and fresh market. The disease is caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. This fungus can cause serious losses in the field, in storage, and under transit and market conditions. S. sclerotiorum is widely distributed in relatively cool and moist areas throughout the world. The fungus has a wide host range and is known to attack over 360 species of plants. In the Cruciferae family alone, it has been recorded on 18 genera and 32 species. In New York State the fungus is capable of infecting many types of vegetables and is particularly serious on snap beans. It also infects weeds such as ragweed, dandelion, and wild clover.