Sclerotinia blight

Sclerotinia minor, the fungus that causes Sclerotinia blight, white mold and watery soft rots of vegetables, or lettuce drop, can infect host plants from 21 families, 66 genera, and 94 species. Sclerotinia minor occurs worldwide but especially in cool, moist regions. Sclerotinia minor causes watery soft rots, cottony soft rots, drop, and other diseases of many important flower and vegetable crops. Some common plants that are susceptible to S. minor include chicory, caraway, baby’s breath, carnation, and other popular ornamentals. Economically important crops that S. minor is a pathogen of include soybean, sunflower, common bean, cucumber, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, sweet potato, irish potato, pepper, tomato, peanut, and many others.