SPONDYLOCLADIUM 



479 



Failure attended all attempts to inoculate roots of carrot, 

 parsnip, and turnip with Spondylocladium, and it is just 

 possible that this parasite may be confined to potatoes. 



The disease was first reported in this country from Scotland 

 in 1908, and was afterwards met with in England during the 

 same year. It has been reported by Professor Johnson as 

 not uncommon in Ireland. It is also known on the Continent 

 and in the United States. 



Conidiophores solitary or clustered, cylindrical, septate, 



FlG. 142. Spondylocladium atrovirens. i, po- 

 tato showing patches of the fungus and micro- 

 sclerotia ; 2, fruiting condition of the fungus ; 

 3, micro-sclerotium. 2 and 3 mag. 



dingy olive or brownish, up to 400 //, high ; conidia elongato- 

 ovate, apex narrowed, 5-7-septate, arranged in whorls, 

 coloured like the stem, 30-50 x 6-9 /*. 



Potatoes bearing sclerotia or showing the sunken areas 

 characteristic of the disease, should not be used for sets. 

 Land that has produced a diseased crop should not be 

 again planted with potatoes for some years. Lime or kainit 

 would probably assist in destroying sclerotia present in the 

 land. 



