FIRST REPORT OF COLLAR ROT DISEASE IN GERBERA JAMESONII BOLUS EX HOOK CAUSED BY SCLEROTIUM ROLFSII SACC. IN INDIA

The incidence of collar rot of Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex Hook caused by Sclerotium rolfsii was recorded for the first time in Ooty (Nilgiri dist.) and Yercaud (Salem dist.), Tamil Nadu, India during 2013-2014. The symptomatology of the disease was studied in detail and the pathogen was isolated from the infected root bits of Gerbera using Potato Dextrose Agar medium. Pathogenicity was proven by inserting 5 sclerotia into the collar region of the host Gerbera (variety Bellwater white). The pathogen was studied for its phenotypic characters and finally confirmed as Sclerotium rolfsii.