Patho-biochemical investigations on stem rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Abstract

The Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is the main source of cooking oil in Asia. India is one of the leading
oilseed Brassicas producing country in the world accounting for 11.12 per cent of the world’s rapeseedmustard
production, and ranks third in the world next to China and Canada. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.)
de Bary, the causal organism of stem rot (SR) of Brassica and over 500 host plants, is menace to cultivation
of oilseed Brassica crops in the world. Infection occurs on leaves, stems and pods at different developmental
stages, causing seed yield losses of up to 40%, as well as significant reductions in oil content and quality. In
various bioassays, the partially purified toxic metabolites of the pathogen resulted in maximum wilting and
chlorosis at 2:8 (Double Distilled Water: Partially Purified Toxin), and adversely affected the germination of
seeds, and development of root and shoot of seedlings.