Uncertainty on its classification when the broadly defined genus Corticium was being partitioned by taxonomists, led to placement in Pellicularia, then Botryobasidium and finally Athelia.

Subsequently, it has been shown via phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences, that Agroathelia rolfsii[1] was a member of the Amylocorticiales and not the Atheliales where it was classified until recently.

It has an almost indiscriminate host range, but its capacity to form sclerotia (propagules that remain in the soil) means that it particularly attacks seasonal crops.

It mostly occurs in warm soils (above 15 °C (59 °F)) and can be a serious pest of vegetables in tropical and subtropical regions (including Florida, where it was first recognized), causing "southern blight".

[9] The pathogen has a very large host range, affecting over 500 plant species (including tomato, onion, snapbean and pea) in the United States of America.

[10] The fungus attacks the host crown and stem tissues at the soil line by producing a number of compounds such as oxalic acid, in addition to enzymes that are pectinolytic and cellulolytic.

[citation needed] Agroathelia rolfsii typically prefers warm, humid climates (whence the name of the disease, Southern Blight) which is required for optimal growth (i.e. to produce mycelium and sclerotia).

[9] Southern Blight can be spread (by way of sclerotia and mycelium) by contaminated farm tools and implements, irrigation systems and infected soil and plant material.

Simply avoiding infected fields is perhaps the most straightforward management technique given the large host range and durability of survival structures (i.e.

[9] Deep tillage has also been shown to reduce Southern Blight occurrence by burying infected plant tissues and creating an anaerobic environment that hinders pathogen growth.