Abstract
Sclerotia play an important role in the disease cycle of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum . Traditional control measures do not effectively suppress germination and viability of sclerotia. This study performed a series of in-vivo bioassays to investigate the effect of biofumigants produced by Brassica juncea Caliente 199, biological control by Paraphaeosphaeria minitans ( Coniothyrium minitans ) , and calcium cyanamide (as Perlka®) on carpogenic germination and sclerotial viability. Paraphaeosphaeria minitans resulted in complete inhibition of carpogenic germination and high sclerotial mortality. Calcium cyanamide applied at the equivalent field rates of 400 and 300 kg ha −1 Perlka resulted in 100% and 77% reduction in sclerotial germination, respectively, but viability remained high (> 95%). The combination of P. minitans and calcium cyanamide at the rate of 400 kg ha −1 Perlka achieved complete inhibition of sclerotial germination and ≥ 97.5% mortality. Biofumigation resulted in ≥ 91.0% viable sclerotia and 45–46% of sclerotia germinating carpogenically. These results showed that of the treatments tested, P. minitans significantly reduced the carpogenic germination and the viability of sclerotia. Paraphaeosphaeria minitans was identified as a good candidate for use in an integrated pest management program to achieve sustainable control of the pathogen. Further studies are needed to assess the effectiveness and potential of integrating these non-pesticide measures with other control methods to achieve better control of S. sclerotiorum in the field.