Key Features
- Discolored, brown-black roots
- Wilting
- Reduced growth
Symptoms
Root rot is caused by many different types of fungi and can kill plants at any stage of their lifecycle.
Biology
See Phytophthora, Pythium, Fusarium or Rhizoctonia root rot for more information.
Management Recommendations
Avoid excessive watering, which is a leading cause of damping root rot. Avoid planting plants too deeply, and whenever possible, control irrigation and watering. Avoid planting all but the most water loving plants in low spots, or poorly draining areas. Berms are one means of preventing root rot. Another option is soil amendments. Because perennials have small root systems (compared to trees), small site changes are possible to improve soil conditions and make them more conducive to some perennials.
Effective Pesticides
Pesticides are neither available nor recommended for managing this disease.
Resources
