Elsholtzia Splendens Research Articles

Effects of soil microbes on photosynthetic characteristics and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of Elsholtzia splendens under copper stress condition.

To determine the effects of soil microbes on the photosynthetic and physiological responses as well as the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of Elsholtzia splendens,four soil treatments were analyzed in this experiment:the addition of copper(copper stress);a soil microbes inoculation;addition of copper and soil microbes inoculation;and no additional copper or soil microbes inoculation(CK).The results showed that the net photosynthetic rates(P n),relative chlorophyll content,and water use efficiency(WUE) of E.splendens inoculated with the soil microbes were higher than those in the CK,and the differences among the various treatments were significant.There was a significant impact on the minimal fluorescence(F o) and maximal efficiency of PSⅡ photochemistry(F v / F m).In comparison with CK,the additional copper treatment reduced P n and stomatal conductance(G s),but the intercellular CO 2 concentration(C i) increased,which was mainly due to a non-stomatal limitation.The addition of copper was found to reduce the relative chlorophyll content,but the soil microbes inoculation could increase it,and the difference between the treatments was significant.Soil microbes inoculated plants had higher F v / F m and F o under copper stress.The P n,WUE,and G s of E.splendens inoculated with the soil microbes increased markedly.It was suggested that soil microbes inoculation could alleviate copper stress on E.splendens plants by improving the relative chlorophyll content,photosynthesis,and chlorophyll fluorescence of leaves.

Toxicity and Deficiency of Copper in Elsholtzia splendens Affect Photosynthesis Biophysics, Pigments and Metal Accumulation

Elsholtzia splendens is a copper-tolerant plant species growing on copper deposits in China. Spatially and spectrally resolved kinetics of in vivo absorbance and chlorophyll fluorescence in mesophyll of E. splendens were used to investigate the copper-induced stress from deficiency and toxicity as well as the acclimation to excess copper stress. The plants were cultivated in nutrient solutions containing either Fe(III)-EDTA or Fe(III)-EDDHA. Copper toxicity affected light-acclimated electron flow much stronger than nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) or dark-acclimated photochemical efficiency of PSIIRC (Fv/Fm). It also changed spectrally resolved Chl fluorescence kinetics, in particular by strengthening the short-wavelength (<700 nm) part of NPQ altering light harvesting complex II (LHCII) aggregation. Copper toxicity reduced iron accumulation, decreased Chls and carotenoids in leaves. During acclimation to copper toxicity, leaf copper decreased but leaf iron increased, with photosynthetic activity and pigments recovering to normal levels. Copper tolerance in E. splendens was inducible; acclimation seems be related to homeostasis of copper and iron in E. splendens. Copper deficiency appeared at 10 mg copper per kg leaf DW, leading to reduced growth and decreased photosynthetic parameters (F0, Fv/Fm, ΦPSII). The importance of these results for evaluating responses of phytoremediation plants to stress in their environment is discussed.

Phytotoxicity and accumulation of copper oxide nanoparticles to the Cu-tolerant plant Elsholtzia splendens

The release of nanoparticles (NPs) to the environment poses an increasing potential threat to biological systems. This study investigated the phytotoxicity and accumulation of copper oxide (CuO) NPs to Elsholtzia splendens (a Cu-tolerant plant) under hydroponic conditions. The 50% effective concentration (EC50) of CuO NPs to E. splendens was about 480 mg/L, implying the tolerance of E. splendens to CuO NPs. The Cu content in the shoots treated with 1000 mg/L CuO NPs was much higher than those exposed to the comparable 0.5 mg/L soluble Cu and CuO bulk particles. CuO NPs-like deposits were found in the root cells and leaf cells. Cu K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure analysis further revealed that the accumulated Cu species existed predominantly as CuO NPs in the plant tissues. All these results suggested that CuO NPs can be absorbed by the roots and translocated to the shoots in E. splendens.

A Primary Study on Assessment of Phytoremediation Potential of Biofuel Crops in Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil

Phytoremediation is a low cost and eco-friendly emerging technology for treatment of contaminated soils with the use of green plants. In this study, the accumulation potential to heavy metals by two biofuel crops (maize and sunflower) and two metal accumulator plants (Elsholtzia splendens (ES), Tagetes patula L. (TP)) was studied with pot culture filled with a heavy metal contaminated soil, in order to compare their suitability for phytoremediation of contaminated soils. Sunflower showed the highest accumulation level for Cu (150 ug/pot) and Zn (10893 ug/pot) in the shoot part compared to other three plants. Maize showed a similar accumulation level for Cu (104 ug/pot) and Zn (7454 ug/pot) to TP, but a much higher level than ES. TP showed noticeable accumulation levels for Pb (196 ug/pot) and Cd (637 ug/pot). ES generally had the lowest accumulation capacity for Cu (38.5 ug/pot), Zn (2784 ug/pot), Pb (35.4 ug/pot) and Cd (18.2 ug/pot). Therefore, the two biofuel plants had higher or similar phytoremediation potential of heavy metals compared to the two accumulator plants. This study provided useful data for considering biofuel plants as potential economic crops for phytoremediation.

Study on Tolerance and Accumulation Potential of Biofuel Crops for Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals

Phytoremediation is a cost-effective and environment-friendly technology that uses plants for environmental remediation. In order to promote practical application of phytoremediation, an income generation phytoremediation strategy was suggested using biofuel crops for utilization and phytoremediation of contaminated soils. In this study, the tolerance and accumulation potential to heavy metals of two biofuel plants and two accumulator plants were investigated in order to evaluate their suitability for phytoremediation. Two biofuel crops, maize (Zea mays L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), and two accumulator plants, Elsholtzia splendens (ES) and Kummerowia striata (KS) were exposed to the hydroponic mixtures of Pb, Cu and Cd. Results showed that, at the 0.01 mol/L application level of Pb, Cu and Cd, sunflower had the highest accumulation ability for Pb, Cu and Cd in the shoot part compared to other three plants, and maize had a similar accumulation level to ES and KS. Sunflower also had much higher shoot/root ratios of accumulation for Cu and Cd than maize. However, sunflower showed lower tolerance to Pb, Cu and Cd contamination than maize, ES and KS. This study provided useful data supporting the use of biofuel plants in phytoremediation.

Optimization of Extraction Conditions forElsholtzia splendensand Its Antioxidant Activity

ABSTRACT Response surface methodology was used to optimize extraction conditions, including ethanol concentration (X1) and extraction time (X2), to obtain the maximal antioxidant activity of Elsholtzia splendens extract. The optimized values of X1 and X2 were found to be 54.61% and 116.8 min, respectively. Experimental results obtained for the optimum extraction conditions agreed favorably with the predicted results, indicating the usefulness of prediction models for antioxidant extractions. This potent antioxidant activity had good correlation with total flavonoid content. The E. splendens extract prepared according to optimal conditions demonstrated a concentration-dependent α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity. In conclusion, E. splendens extract prepared by optimal conditions may be useful as a natural functional food ingredient with antioxidant activity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Natural antioxidant compounds have received much attention because of their potential protective effects against free radical damage preventing cardiovascular diseases and tumor formation. Elsholtzia splendens, a subclass of the family Labiatae, is used as an ingredient of traditional medicinal food in eastern Asia. Although many health-promoting properties of E. splendens were demonstrated by recent studies, in order to develop a functional food derived from new bioactive compounds, such as E. splendens, the extraction steps should be well characterized for the quality of extracts and the efficiency of extraction. In this paper, response surface methodology was used to optimize extraction conditions to obtain the maximal antioxidant activity of E. splendens extract. The optimized E. splendens extract demonstrated a potent radical-scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity. It is expected that the E. splendens extract could be used in a wide range of foods as a potential functional food ingredient.

Caffeic acid product from the highly copper-tolerant plant Elsholtzia splendens post-phytoremediation: its extraction, purification, and identification

In the current study, caffeic acid was an important metabolite in the highly copper-tolerant plant Elsholtzia splendens. Preparation and purification of caffeic acid were performed on the dried biomass of the plants by means of sonication/ethanol extraction, followed by purification using a macroporous resin (D101 type) column and silica gel chromatography. The faint-yellow caffeic acid product was yielded with a purity of 98.46%, and it was chemically identified from spectra of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR)/carbon nuclear magnetic resonance ((13)C NMR), and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Caffeic acid is a possible product from the post-harvest processing of Elsholtzia splendens biomass.

Removal of phthalic esters from contaminated soil using different cropping systems: A field study

Phytoremediation of phthalic esters (PAE) polluted agricultural soils near electrical-waste dismantling areas in east China is a topic of much public concern. In this study, monocropping and intercropping of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), Elsholtzia splendens and Sedum plumbizincicola were compared for their potential in phytoremediation of contaminated soil. Regardless of whether alfalfa was cultivated in monoculture (A) or in combination with E. splendens (AE) or with S. plumbizincicola (AS), and also with all three (AES) in intercropping, concentrations of six PAEs in soil were significantly reduced (p < 0.01) by 87.2, 91.2, 87.2 and 89.4% compared to the control. Intercropping enhanced the decline in soil PAEs and increased soil microbial biomass and microbial functional diversity, and alfalfa shoots and roots took up more of the target pollutants than the other two plant species. DEHP was the most abundant of the target PAEs in soil, roots and shoots. The biological concentration factors (BCFs) of alfalfa in monoculture were relatively high, but the transfer factor (TF) and phytoextraction efficiency, which ranged from 1.16 to 1.69 %, were higher in intercropping systems. Thus, rhizospheric remediation by intercropping of the three-species contributed to PAE removal from the soil and may represent a promising in situ bioremediation strategy for PAE contaminated soils.

Lead tolerance and cellular distribution in Elsholtzia splendens using synchrotron radiation micro-X-ray fluorescence

Hydroponic experiments were conducted to investigate the tolerance and spatial distribution of lead (Pb) in Elsholtzia splendens—a copper (Cu) accumulator plant using synchrotron-based micro-X-ray fluorescence. According to chlorophyll concentration and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, E. splendens displayed certain tolerance at 100μM Pb treatment. Lead concentration in roots, stems and leaves of E. splendens reached 45,183.6, 1657.6, and 380.9mgkg−1, respectively. Pb was mostly accumulated in the roots, and there were also high concentrations of Pb been transported into stems and leaves. Micro-XRF analysis of the stem and leaf cross section revealed that Pb was mostly restricted in the vascular bundles and epidermis tissues of both stem and leaf of E. splendens. The correlation between distribution of K, Ca, Zn and Pb were analyzed. There were significant positive correlations (P<0.01) among Pb and Ca, K, Zn distribution both in stem and leaf of E. splendens. However, among the three elements, Ca shared the most similar distribution pattern and the highest correlation coefficients with Pb in both stem and leaf cross section of E. splendens. This suggests that Ca may play an important role in Pb accumulation in stem and leaf of E. splendens.

Study of metal-containing proteins in the roots of Elsholtzia splendens using LA-ICP-MS and LC–tandem mass spectrometry

In the present study, the metal-containing proteins in the roots of Cu-tolerant plant Elsholtzia splendens were investigated. The proteins from the plant roots were extracted and separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D GE). Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to screen metal-containing proteins on the dried 2D gels. Images of Cu, Zn, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, P and S, and also of Ag, were obtained by scanning the gel (line by line) using the LA-ICP-MS techniques developed in our laboratory. Cu-, Zn- and Mg-containing proteins were found in the gel sections of interest via LA-ICP-MS imaging. These protein spots were then in-gel digested with trypsin and analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) for identification. The mechanisms involved in Cu tolerance and accumulation were also discussed.

A New Variety of Elsholtzia (Lamiaceae): E. splendens var. fasciflora from Korea

A new variety of Elsholtzia splendens (Lamiaceae) was found by the roadside of a mountain base at Jungmun-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do. The new taxon is termed Elsholtzia splendens var. fasciflora N.S. Lee, M.S. Chung & C.S. Lee, var. nov. The Korean name 'Da-bal-kkot-hyang-yu' was given. The morphological characters and illustrations of the species based on the holotype are provided together with a photograph of the habitat. It is distinctly distinguished from Elsholtzia splendens var. splendens by a few characteristics: leaves that area 2-4 cm long, leaves beneath the inflorescence, typically mostly 4; and inflorescence mosyly 2-4, fascicled, involucres oval.

Characteristics and Antioxidant Activity of Elsholtzia splendens Extract-Loaded Nanoparticles

Elsholtzia splendens extract-loaded chitosan nanoparticles prepared by ionic gelation were characterized by particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and loading efficiency. As the initial concentration of E. splendens extract was increased, the loading efficiency and zeta potential significantly increased, whereas the entrapment efficiency and particle size significantly decreased. The optimum concentration of E. splendens extract for maximum loading efficiency was found to be 0.8 mg/mL. Both free E. splendens extract and E. splendens extract-loaded chitosan nanoparticles showed concentration-dependent antioxidant activity. However, the lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity of E. splendens extract was effectively enhanced when it was entrapped within chitosan nanoparticles. Chitosan nanoparticle encapsulation is therefore a potentially valuable technique for improving the antioxidant activity of E. splendens extract.

Variation in community structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with a Cu tolerant plant— Elsholtzia splendens

Little is known about the characteristics of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community in the roots of host plants growing on heavy metal contaminated sites. The objectives of this study were to examine the community structure of AMF associated with the roots of a copper (Cu) tolerant plant— Elsholtzia splendens in a Cu mining area in southeastern Anhui Province, China. Molecular techniques were used to analyze AMF community composition and phylogenetic relationship in E. splendens roots sampled from three Cu mine spoils and two adjacent reference areas. Results obtained showed that root colonization and AMF diversity were very low and negatively correlated with total and extractable Cu concentrations. All the DNA sequences recovered belonged to the genus of Glomus. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the AMF community composition varied remarkably among different sites and was related closely to soil properties, especially Cu concentrations. The distribution pattern of AMF species in various sites suggested the degree of AMF tolerance to Cu contamination. The unique AMF species that presented exclusively in heavily contaminated sites need to be further examined for potential application in phytoremediation of metal contaminated soils.

Effects ofElsholtzia splendensandCirsium japonicumon premenstrual syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome is a common chronic disorder in most women of reproductive age. The main symptoms are depression, anxiety, tension, feeling out of control, and mastalgia. In premenstrual syndrome, the effects of aromatic edible Elsholtzia splendens and Cirsium japonicum were investigated for over 3 months in 30 women participants in their twenties. In the Elsholtzia splendens capsule treated group, scores of depression and anxiety were significantly lower than those in the Cirsium japonicum capsule treated group. Moreover, instability of the premenstrual assessment form was significantly decreased in the Elsholtzia splendens capsule treated group. Our results suggest that Elsholtzia splendens could be an effective plant material in relieving symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

Proteomic characterization of copper stress response in Elsholtzia splendens roots and leaves

Elsholtzia splendens is generally considered as a Cu-tolerant and -accumulating plant species, and a candidate for phytoremediation of Cu-contaminated soils. To better understand the Cu tolerance/accumulation mechanisms in E. splendens, proteomic analysis was performed on E. splendens roots and leaves exposed to 100 muM CuSO(4) for 3 and 6 days. After 6 days of treatment, Cu accumulation in roots increased much more than that in leaves. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the proteins changed more intensively in roots than did in leaves upon Cu stress. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and image analyses found that 45 protein spots were significantly changed in roots, but only six protein spots in leaves. The abundance of protein spots mostly showed temporal changes. MALDI-TOF MS and LTQ-ESI-MS/MS were used to identify the differently expressed protein spots. The identified root proteins were involved in various cellular processes such as signal transduction, regulation of transcription and translation, energy metabolism, regulation of redox homeostasis and cell defense. The leaf proteins were mainly degraded fragments of RuBisCo and antioxidative protein. The roles of these proteins in Cu tolerance/accumulation were discussed. The resulting differences in protein expression pattern suggested that redirection of root cellular metabolism and redox homeostasis might be important survival mechanisms of E. splendens upon Cu stress.

Transformation of Lead Solid Fraction in the Rhizosphere of Elsholtzia splendens: The Importance of Organic Matter

The rhizosphere, enriched in organic matter, is the bottleneck of metal transfer in the soil–plant system. However, the transformation of metal fractions in the rhizosphere and the mechanisms that are involved, notably the role of organic matter, are poorly known. In this study, the solid-phase fractionation of lead (Pb) in the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil of Elsholtzia splendens in a Pb-contaminated soil was investigated using a nine-step selective sequential extraction method in a pot experiment. Compared to the non-rhizosphere soil, there were measurable increases in Pb-fulvic complexes, Pb-humic complexes, organic Pb, and amorphous Pb but no significant changes in other forms of Pb in the rhizosphere soil. Pb-fulvic complexes and organic Pb, increasing from 397 to 438 mg kg−1 and 229 to 258 mg kg−1, respectively, showed a stronger accumulating trend than Pb-humic complexes and amorphous Pb, with an increase from 15.9 to 17.3 mg kg−1 and 6.04 to 7.80 mg kg−1 respectively, in the rhizosphere soil relative to non rhizosphere soil. These results may be mainly due to the enrichment of organic matter in the rhizosphere soil, resulting from root exudation and the enhanced turnover of microorganisms. The accumulation of Pb-fulvic complexes in the rhizosphere soil increases the potential phytoavailable pool, thus likely facilitating the phytoextraction of Pb in metal-contaminated soil.

EFFECTS OF COPPER-ENRICHED COMPOSTS APPLIED TO COPPER-DEFICIENT SOIL ON THE YIELD AND COPPER AND ZINC UPTAKE OF WHEAT

A pot experiment and a field experiment were conducted to investigate Cu-enriched composts made from Elsholtzia splendens plants as basal fertilizers to correct Cu deficiency in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in Cu-deficient soils. An application of the compost significantly increased plant height, biomass, grain yield, and 1000-grain weight. In the pot experiment, plant height and shoot biomass in the 2% Cu-rich compost treatment increased 0.8- and 5.2-fold compared with the chemical fertilizer treatment at the mature stage. Compared to chemical fertilizer control, the 2% Cu-enriched compost addition increased grain yield per pot by about 9.5-fold and 1000-grain weight by about 50%. In the field study, the compost also showed stimulatory effects on plant growth and grain yield. The results indicate that composting E. splendens plants grown in a Cu-contaminated soil and then applying the compost to a Cu-deficient soil may be an effective technique for the remediation of contaminated soils and redistribution of the copper as a plant nutrient for copper-deficient soils.

Study of essential element accumulation in the leaves of a Cu-tolerant plant Elsholtzia splendens after Cu treatment by imaging laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used for the quantitative imaging of Cu and other essential elements (such as K, Mg, Mn, P, S and B) in the leaves of a Cu-tolerant plant Elsholtzia splendens treated with the enriched 65Cu isotope tracer (isotope abundance of 89.2%). The leaves (newly formed, fully grown and oldest) were scanned directly with a focused Nd:YAG laser in the laser ablation chamber. The ablated material was transported with argon as carrier gas to a quadrupole-based ICP-MS (ICP-QMS), and the ion intensities of 65Cu +, 39K +, 24Mg +, 55Mn +, 31P +, 34S + and 11B + were measured by ICP-QMS to study the accumulation of Cu and other elements of interest. Standard reference material NIST SRM 1515 Apple Leaves doped with known concentrations of analytes (from 0.1 to 2000 mg L −1) was measured together with the samples by LA-ICP-MS and was used for the quantification of the analytical data. Notable accumulation of Cu in the newly formed leaves was clearly identified by imaging LA-ICP-MS. The increased isotope ratios of 65Cu/ 63Cu measured by LA-ICP-MS demonstrated the path of Cu uptake and accumulation via the petiole and main veins in the leaves. Cu stress-induced accumulation of K, Mg, Mn, P and S in the newly formed leaves was observed, while B was not significantly affected. In the present study, the concentrations of K, Mg, Mn, P and S were not obviously changed in the fully grown leaves after short-term treatment. Along with the treatment, a visible decrease of K and P was found in the oldest leaves, while other elements were not influenced by Cu stress.

Imaging of nutrient elements in the leaves of Elsholtzia splendens by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used for the quantitative imaging of nutrient elements (such as K, Mg, Mn, Cu, P, S and B) in the leaves of Elsholtzia splendens. The plant leaves were scanned directly with a focused Nd:YAG laser in the laser ablation chamber. The ablated material was transported with argon as carrier gas to a quadrupole-based ICP-MS (ICP-QMS), and the ion intensities of 39K +, 24Mg +, 55Mn +, 63Cu +, 31P +, 34S + and 11B + were measured by ICP-QMS to study the distribution of the elements of interest. The imaging technique using LA-ICP-MS on plant leaves does not require any sample preparation. Carbon ( 13C +) was used as an internal standard element to compensate for the difference in the amount of material ablated. Additional experiments were performed in order to study the influence of the water content of the analyzed leaves on the intensity signal of the analyte. For quantification purposes, standard reference material (NIST SRM 1515 Apple Leaves) was selected and doped with standard solutions of the analytes within the concentration range of 0.1–2000 mg L −1. The synthetic laboratory standards together with the samples were measured by LA-ICP-MS. The shape and structure of the leaves was clearly given by LA-ICP-MS imaging of all the elements measured. The elemental distribution varied according to the element, but with a high content in the veins for all the elements investigated. Specifically, Cu was located uniformly in the mesophyll with a slightly higher concentration in the main vein. High ion intensity was measured for S with a high amount of this element in the veins similar to the images of the metals, whereas most of the B was detected at the tip of the leaf. With synthetic laboratory standard calibration, the concentrations of elements in the leaves measured by LA-ICP-MS were between 20 μg g −1 for Cu and 14,000 μg g −1 for K.

Sclerotium rolfsii에 의한 꽃향유 흰비단병 발생

2006과 2007년 2년간 경상남도농업기술원 약초 전시포장에 재배중인 꽃향유에서 S. rolfsii에 의한 흰비단병이 발생되었다. 병징은 줄기와 지제부위가 수침상으로 물러지고 부패하면서 암갈색으로 시들어 말라 죽는다. 병반부와 지제부위의 토양 표면에 흰색의 곰팡이가 솜털처럼 생기고 감자한천 배지에서 갈색의 둥근 균핵을 많이 형성하였으며 크기는 <TEX>$1{\sim}3mm$</TEX>였다. 균사의 폭은 <TEX>$4{\sim}9{\mu}$</TEX>이며 균사생육 적온은 <TEX>$30^{\circ}C$</TEX>였으며 균사특유의 clamp connection이 관찰되었다. 꽃향유에서 발생한 병징과 균학적 특징 및 병원성을 검정한 결과, 이 병을 Sclerotium rolfsii Saccardo에 의한 꽃향유 흰비단병으로 명명하고자 한다. From 2006 to 2007, the stem rot of Elsholtzia splendens Nakai caused by Sclerotium rolfsii occurred sporadically in an herbs exhibition at Gyeongsangnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, Korea. The typical symptom is water-soaking, dark brown on the stem and rotting, wilting and blighting. The infected plants were mostly died. White mycelial mats were spread over lesions, and then sclerotia were formed on stems and near soil line. The sclerotia were globoid in shape, <TEX>$1{\sim}3$</TEX> mm in size and white to brown in color. The optimum temperature and sclerotia on PDA was <TEX>$30^{\circ}C$</TEX> and the hyphal width was <TEX>$4{\sim}9{\mu}$</TEX>. The typical clamp connections were observed in the hyphae of the fungus grown on PDA. On the basis of mycological characteristics and pathogenicity to host plants, this fungus was identified as Sclerotium rolfsii Saccardo. This is the first report on the stem rot of E. splendens caused by S. rolfsii in Korea.