Induction of myceliogenic germination of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum by exposure to sub‐freezing temperatures

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Abstract
When sclerotia of a Canadian isolate of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum were exposed to temperatures of – 10 or– 20 C for 4 weeks, their germination behaviour changed from carpogenic to myceliogenic type. Mycelial growth from sclerotia exposed to– 20 C was more vigorous than that from sclerotia exposed to– 10 C. The mode of germination in sclerotia treated with above‐freezing temperatures of 0 5, 10. 15. 25 or 30 C did not change: they retained the capacity for carpogenic germination. The possible epidemiological impact of this low‐temperature induction of myceliogenic germination on the development of sclerotinia wilt of sunflower seedlings in western Canada is discussed.