Aphids may facilitate the spread of Sclerotinia stem rot in oilseed rape by carrying and depositing ascospores

Aphids and Sclerotinia stem rot in oilseed rape are often studied in isolation, and their relationship is rarely explored. Our field studies have revealed a significantly positive correlation between the number of aphids and the incidence of Sclerotinia stem rot. Therefore, during Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Lib. (de Bary) ascospores acquired, vectored and inoculated, the effects of Breveroryne brassicae (Linnaeus) were assessed on two oilseed rape cultivars using electropenetrography (EPG).