sclerotinia

9.9

A fungus that causes brown rot on plants like fruits and vegetables

noun
/ˌsklɛrəˈtɪniə/

Specialized

: esclerotinia

The presence of sclerotinia can cause brown rot on fruits and vegetables.

Examples

Scientists are researching methods to control sclerotinia infections in sunflowers.
The sclerotinia fungus can devastate crops if not managed properly.
Several crops were damaged by sclerotinia during last year's growing season.
Farmers are concerned about sclerotinia affecting their harvest this year.
Farmers are concerned about sclerotinia affecting their harvest this year.
Several crops were damaged by sclerotinia during last year's growing season.
The presence of sclerotinia can cause brown rot on fruits and vegetables.

Surface Forms

sclerotinia singular

sclerotinias plural

Etymology

Sclerotinia comes from the Greek root skleros, meaning 'hard'. These fungi make small hard lumps that stay in the soil and later cause brown rot in plants, so the name points to their hard resting parts and the damage they cause.