Southern Blight: Caused by Agroathelia rolfsii (formerly Sclerotium rolfsii), this disease is results in sudden whole plant wilting and dieback under hot conditions. White fungal mats with distinct sclerotia colonize stems at the soil level. Sclerotia are round and tan to brown colored. Southern blight is prominent in regions with warm, wet summers such as the southeastern US. Agroathelia rolfsii has a broad host range.
