Factors affecting the production of apothecia and longevity of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum produced naturally on winter oilseed rape and by an isolate from this host on sterile wheat grain were placed in two different soil types in pots, either on the soil surface or 1. 2, 3, 4 or 6 cm deep. Nitrogen (as TN 34, Thames Nitrogen Co.) was applied to one set of pots in autumn 1982 and spring 1983. Production of apothecia was recorded in this set in 1983 only. In pots without added N apothecia were counted in 1983 and 1984 and sclerotia were recovered from these pots at the end of the experiment. Overall, production of apothecia was not affected by soil type. More apothecia formed from cultured sclerotia and they appeared earlier than from natural sclerotia. More apothecia were produced from sclerotia placed at 0–2 cm than from those buried deeper. Fewer apothecia were produced in pots with added N and their production was delayed. Fewer sclerotia were recovered from the upper layers of soil with a higher clay content, and when sclerotia were obtained from oilseed rape rather than from cultures.