Root rot of clover caused by Codinaea fertilis

Death of white clover in pastures on the east coast of the North Island was found to be caused by the fungus Codinaea fertilis Hughes & Kendrick attacking the roots. C. fertilis was isolated from a high proportion of infected clover roots taken from pasture. Laboratory and glasshouse experiments demonstrated its pathogenicity. Optimum temperature for growth of C. fertilis was about 26 °c, which is consistent with the observation that the disease occurs in warmer northern districts and is more severe in summer than in winter.