Is Sclerotinia A Problem? Here’s How You Can Suppress It Naturally
Sclerotinia is a fungal infection which adversely affects a wide range of ornamental plants and vegetables — particularly leafy vegetables. The fungus survives for long periods in the soil. When infected, plants rot at the base while a white fluffy mould grows on affected parts.
Sclerotinia is found on farms across Australia and poses a serious problem for growers.
Sclerotinia Treatments
Chemical treatments are proving ineffective in the suppression of Sclerotinia. However, BioFlora® has recently conducted successful trials of lettuce crops in Victoria. Our Bioflora treatment program of GO Isolates® and IsoGreen® has shown a significant reduction in Sclerotinia minor numbers.
Lettuce Trial
The lettuce trial was conducted in Bairnsdale, Victoria in May. Fertiliser was applied to both treatments at a rate of Pre-Plant Rustica plus @ 400kg/Ha and CaNo3 @ 200kg/Ha x 2 applications.
Bioflora® products were applied at the following rates:
- week 2 after planting: IsoGreen® 25lts/Ha
- week 3 after planting: GO Isolates® 25lts/Ha
- week 5 after planting: IsoGreen® & GO Isolates® both applied @ 25lts/Ha
Overhead irrigation was used for the first fortnight, then drip irrigation was used. This block was badly infected with Sclerotium.
Detailed Results
Soil tests were taken pre-plant and post-harvest on both control and BioFlora treated areas, results are as follows:
| Control % Change | Bioflora Treatment % Change | % Increase when adding Bioflora Products | |
| Total Soil Balance | +3% | +7% | +4% |
| Biology Balance | Nil | +14% | +14% |
| Organic Carbon | -14% | +4% | +18% |
| Calcium | -15% | +12% | +27% |
| Magnesium | -17% | +10.5% | +27.5% |
| Phosphorus | -11.5% | -6% | +5.5% |
| Potassium | -21.5% | +0.5% | +22% |
The application of GO Isolates® and IsoGreen® resulted in improvements in both soil balance and biology balance. There were significant improvements in levels or organic carbon, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.
Summary of Sclerotinia Minor Sclerotia Lab Tests La Trobe University Melbourne.
May: Post Harvest Results
The Bioflora treatment had REDUCED the Sclerotinia minor numbers by 25% compared to the control.
Note: Bioflora® products were applied in weeks 2,3 & 5 only. Crop harvested in week 7 after planting.
February Results
In February, 9 months later, Bioflora treatment showed a further REDUCTION in Sclerotinia minor numbers by 19%.
It is also worth noting that in the 9 months period since our treatment was applied to the lettuce crop, the Sclerotinia minor numbers in the CONTROL have INCREASED by 75%.
Note The area has been cropped as normal during the 9 months period; no further BioFlora® products had been applied to the area during this time.
Recommendations
We recommend that a program of Bioflora® products is continually applied to build on the results that are showcased in this field trial.
Our team also recommends that the program is applied at the time of planting.
Increases In Lettuce Yield
In addition to improving the health of the soil, our BioFlora® program created a stronger yield for our lettuce farmer.
Yield Data
| Harvest Yields – Elders | Bioflora Treatment |
| Head Weight | 22% Increased |
| Percentage Harvested | 11% Increased |
| Marketed Crop | 33% Increased |
Farming Lettuce? Nature Knows Best®
Sclerotinia is a serious issue in Australia agriculture and incredible difficult to treat. Without using harsh or harmful chemicals, our BioFlora® program effectively reduced Sclerotinia minor numbers, whilst improving the lettuce yield by 33%. If you’d like to learn more about our organic and sustainable ag products for your plants or vegetables, please get in touch with our team by phoning 0413 839 878. The BioFlora® product range is available across Australia in all Elders stores.