Watery soft rot (WSR) is caused by the fungus Sclerotinia trifoliorum. It usually occurs in late autumn and winter, particularly on pure swards. Generally it is not a serious disease.

 

Identification

Leaves or petioles become flaccid and light brown in colour. Disease spreads through the plant to neighbouring plants. Patches of clover can rot, causing a light brown slimy mass of decaying vegetation. Tufts of white fungus develop on affected tissue. These eventually turn into black bodies called sclerotia.

 

Spread

Sclerotia remain in the soil for several months. Under moist conditions they germinate to produce small, fruiting bodies which eject spores into the air, spreading the infection. These require dead tissue to become established. The growing fungus produces phytotoxic enzymes that rot the host tissue.

 

Prevention and management

Graze at the right time to prevent clover becoming rank and wet. Fungicides are not economic.

 

Watery soft rot on clover.