Lettuce Drop

Two species ofSclerotiniainfect lettuce in California and cause the lettuce drop disease: in coastal growing areasSclerotinia minoris the primary species of importance, while in other areasS. sclerotiorumis more prevalent.Sclerotinia minoronly infects the stems and leaves in contact with the soil. Once infection takes place, the fungus will cause a brown, soft decay that eventuallydestroys the plant crown tissue. Older leaves then wilt and later the entire plant will wilt and collapse, making it