ChileanJAR

The increase of Sclerotinia wilt of sunflower -the most serious disease of this crop in Chile- is due to the use of seed contaminated with mycelium and sclerotia of the pathogen.
To reduce the amount of losses the following measures are recommended: use of certified seed; crop rotation with cereals and grasses of four years at least; elimination and destruction by fire of all diseased plants and debris; suspension of irrigation and transit from contaminated areas and careful cleaning of agricultural implements used in such soils. Also itis advisable in sowing to space sunflowers at the greatest economically practical distance; to eliminate weeds and to reduct irrigation of sunflower plants to a minimun.
In case of seed of uncertain origin deaning and disinfection are recommended. Among the seed disinfectants tested "Ceresan" and "Meracet" appearedthe most promising.