SURVIVAL OF COLLETOTRICHUM-GRAMINICOLA SCLEROTIA IN SORGHUM STALK RESIDUES

Sclerotia of Colletotrichum graminicola, the causal agent of sorghum anthracnose, survived in sorghum stalk debris on the soil surface for 18 mo. Germination of sclerotia decreased faster in sorghum stalk residues buried 10 and 20 cm in soil than in those kept on the soil surface. This suggests that sclerotia in sorghum debris on the soil surface may act as a primary source of inoculum for initiating anthracnose in the field.