Sclerotinia wilt

Disease resistance represents one of the more difficult traits for selection. The primary diseases impacting Jerusalem artichoke production are sclerotinia wilt/rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary), rust (Puccinia helianthi Schw.), southern wilt/blight/collar rot (Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.), and powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum DC.) (see Chapter 11). The importance of each disease is dependent upon the production site. For example, in Europe, sclerotinia is a critical disease, while rust and southern wilt are important diseases in North American production areas. Powdery mildew tends to be less important, in that Jerusalem artichoke appears to have reasonable levels of endogenous resistance. 

In continuous culture, the inoculum progressively builds up in the soil, leading to greater losses each year (e.g., 1% loss in year 1, 19% in year 2, and 22% in year 3 for the cultivar Nahodka ) (Cassells and Walsh, 1995). Control, therefore, is best mediated through rotation with nonhost crops. Since the sclerotia can survive in the soil for up to 7 years, a 3- to 5-year rotation is recommended. Jerusalem artichoke can be rotated with small grains or maize, but not dry edible beans, sunflowers, safflower, mustard, or soybeans — all crops susceptible to sclerotinia wilt. Effective control of weeds, which may act as hosts, and volunteer Jerusalem artichokes is also... 

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