Sclerotiniaceae

Sclerotiniaceae is a family of ascomycetous fungi in the order Helotiales, within the class Leotiomycetes of the phylum Ascomycota. Members of this family are primarily plant pathogens, many forming sclerotia—dense, melanized masses of hardened mycelium that can persist in soil or on plant debris—and producing a range of fruiting bodies that facilitate lifecycle completion under favorable conditions. The family includes several well-known genera, most notably Sclerotinia and Botrytis.

The two best-known genera are Sclerotinia and Botrytis. Sclerotinia species typically form large, white, fluffy fruiting bodies (apothecia) when conditions permit and produce sclerotia that enable long-term survival. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (white mold) and Sclerotinia minor are important agricultural pathogens affecting a broad spectrum of dicot crops, including beans, sunflowers, and vegetables. Botrytis species, commonly associated with gray mold diseases, produce abundant conidia and are major pathogens of fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals; Botrytis cinerea is a particularly widespread and economically significant species. Some Botrytis species have a linked sexual stage (teleomorph) classified as Botryotinia, reflecting historical complexity in their naming.

Ecology and impact: Sclerotiniaceae members are globally distributed, especially in temperate to subtropical regions. They colonize living or dead plant tissue and can cause devastating yield losses, soft rots, and white mold diseases. Their ability to form sclerotia contributes to persistence across seasons, complicating disease control.

Management of diseases caused by Sclerotiniaceae focuses on cultural practices (sanitation, crop rotation, removal of infected tissue), resistant cultivars where available, and fungicide programs. Biological control options targeting sclerotia, such as antagonistic fungi, are also explored in integrated disease management.