The effect of <i>Coniothyrium minitans</i> on sclerotial viability of <i>Sclerotinia sclerotiorum</i> and <i>Ciborinia camelliae</i>

Abstract

The effect of Coniothyrium minitans on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Ciborinia camelliae sclerotial viability was determined on three different substrates sand soil and sawdust using fully factorial repeat experiments (Trials 1 and 2) In Trial 1 C minitans significantly reduced the number of viable S sclerotiorum sclerotia in sand (48) and sawdust (0) but not in soil (60) compared with the untreated sclerotia (92 64 and 88 respectively) after 8 weeks Although C minitans had no effect on C camelliae sclerotial viability the sawdust only treatment reduced viability to 0 after 4 weeks In the repeat experiment (Trial 2) C minitans had no effect on S sclerotiorum or C camelliae sclerotial viability although C camelliae sclerotial viability was again significantly reduced in the sawdust control treatment (812) compared with the sand and soil control treatments (>84) Coniothyrium minitans has some potential for biocontrol of S sclerotiorum but not of C camelliae Sawdust may be an option for use as an under plant mulch for control of C camelliae