Differential inhibition of sclerotial germination in Whetzelinia sclerotiorum

A number of diverse compounds including divalent metal ions, simple sugars, and common counterions, buffers, and fungicides were surveyed in the laboratory with regard to ability to inhibit germination of field-collected sclerotia from Whetzelinia sclerotiorum. Many compounds were inhibitory and several were comparable in effectiveness to benomyl and other commercial fungicides. Different levels of a given inhibitor were needed to prevent stipe formation, apothecial formation or mycelial germination. Inhibition was not correlated with ionic strength or related to pH.