Sclerotium rolfsii: Pathogen Biology, Symptomatology, and Host Range of the Devastating Soil-borne Pathogen

Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. [Athelia rolfsii (Curzi) Tu Kimbrough] is a soil-borne fungal phytopathogen having a wide host range. Though belonging to Basidiomycotina order, this fungus produces sterile mycelium without asexual spores. Its peculiarity in producing hard resting structures called sclerotia has made its management difficult. Various management practices are carried out which include cultural, physical, chemical, biological control, etc. Few botanicals have also shown promising result. Biological control of the pathogen has caught attention due to the strong inhibition of the pathogen by Trichoderma spp. and other bacterial bioagents like Pseudomonas, Bacillus etc. Endophytic actinomycetes have also been reported for signifi­cant control of this pathogen. It can be managed by the integration of all available control measures. Therefore, keeping in view the above facts this chapter was designed and written on the integration of different management practices for the control of this devastating pathogen.