white rot

views updated May 18 2018

white rot
1. A disease of onions, shallots, and leeks, caused by the fungus Sclerotium cepivorum. Leaves of infected plants turn yellow, and a fluffy, white mycelium appears on the bulb. Small, black sclerotia can be seen in the mycelium and these can survive in the soil for many years.

2. A type of timber decay in which the cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin components of the wood are decomposed, leaving the wood soft, white, and fibrous.

white rot

views updated May 17 2018

white rot
1. A disease of onions, shallots, and leeks, caused by the fungus Sclerotium cepivorum. Leaves of infected plants turn yellow, and a fluffy, white mycelium appears on the bulb. Small, black sclerotia can be seen in the mycelium and these can survive in the soil for many years.

2. A type of timber decay in which the cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin of the wood are decomposed, leaving the wood soft, white, and fibrous.