Effect of Soil pH and Volatile Stimulants from Remoistened Peanut Leaves on Germination of Sclerotia of Sclerotinia minor. F. C. Hau, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh 27650. M. K. Beute, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh 27650, and Toni Smith, Agricultural Chemicals Division, Diamond Shamrock Corporation. Plant Dis. 66:223-224. Accepted for publication 16 March 1981. Copyright 1982 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-66-223.

Germination of Sclerotinia minor sclerotia embedded in field soil at pH 5.0–7.0 in 6-cm-diameter petri plates was studied in the presence of volatile stimulants from remoistened peanut leaves in enclosed desiccators. Germination of sclerotia invariably increased in the presence of remoistened peanut leaves. Optimum stimulation was produced by 0.25–0.50 g of dried peanut leaves; excessive peanut tissue (>1 g) tended to inhibit germination. Epidemiologic implications are discussed.

Keyword(s): Arachis hypogaea, Sclerotinia blight.