Seong Chan Lee

Environmental Factors on the Development of Root Rot on Ginseng Caused by Cylindrocarpon destructans

The fungus Cylindrocarpon destructans is the cause of root rot in many ginseng production areas in Korea. A total of 57 isolates of C. destructans were recovered from diseased roots in a survey of ginseng–growing fields from 2011-2012. Among these isolates, 37% were classified as highly virulent (causing lesions on unwounded mature roots) and 61% were weakly virulent(causing lesions only on previously wounded roots). Radial growth of highly and weakly virulent isolates on potato dextrose agar was highest at 20C and there was no growth at 35C. Mycelial mass production was significantly (P = 0.05) lower at pH 7.0 compared with pH 5.0. To study the effects of pH (5.0 and 7.0) and wounding on disease development, ginseng roots were grown hydroponically in nutrient solution. Lesions were significantly larger (P < 0.01) at pH 5.0 compared with pH 7.0 and wounding enhanced disease by a highly virulent isolate at both pHs. In artificially infested soil, 2-yearold ginseng roots were most susceptible to Cylindrocarpon root rot among all root ages tested (1 to 4 years) when evaluated using a combined scale of disease incidence and severity. Root rot severity was significantly (P<0.05) enhanced by increasing the inoculum density from 3.5 × 10 cfu/g of soil to 2.0×10 cfu/g of soil.

Overwintering Sites and Winter Mortality of Tetranychus urticae in an Apple Orchard in Korea

The two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch, overwinters in apple culture areas of apple orchards. The mite overwinters in various places on the apple trees, usually in groups of 5-15 females. Overwintering females were mostly found in bark crevices with the hibernation cocoons of the oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta Busck. They were also found in small crevices of the bark, and in pedicels left after fruit harvesting. Furthermore, overwintering females were found on rough bark at the bases of buds and spurs, on small limbs and twigs, and in limb crevices and forks. Empty scales of dead diaspidids and coccids, as well as cocoons of lacewings and mummies of parasitized aphids sporadically found on trees, were found to be less common overwintering sites for females of the two-spotted spider mite. In two successive years, the mortality of overwintering females was very high, reaching approximately 72 and 80%. This could be due to the low temperature of winter season in Korea and the low cold tolerance of the mite.