Root rot

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Chickpea plant (Cicer arietinum) with root rot. Note the symptomatic discolouration in some of its leaves. Root rot in cicer arietinum (hydro-grown).jpg
Chickpea plant ( Cicer arietinum ) with root rot. Note the symptomatic discolouration in some of its leaves.

Root rot is a condition in which anoxic conditions in the soil or potting media around the roots of a plant cause them to rot. This occurs due to excessive standing water around the roots. [1] It is found in both indoor and outdoor plants, although it is more common in indoor plants due to overwatering, heavy potting media, or containers with poor drainage. The leaves of plants experiencing root rot often yellow and die, and if allowed to continue, the condition can be fatal.

Contents

To avoid root rot, it is best to only water plants when the soil becomes dry, and to put the plant in a well-drained pot. Using a dense potting media such as one dug up from outdoors can also cause root rot. Plants from different environments have different tolerances for soil moisture: plants evolved for desert conditions will experience root rot at lower moisture levels than plants evolved for tropical conditions. In both indoor and outdoor plants, it can be lethal and there is no effective treatment, though some plants can be propagated so they will not be lost completely.

Many cases of root rot are caused by members of the water mold genus Phytophthora ; perhaps the most aggressive is P. cinnamomi. Spores from root rot causing agents do contaminate other plants, but the rot cannot take hold unless there is adequate moisture. Spores are not only airborne, but are also carried by insects and other arthropods in the soil. It can be controlled by drenching carbendazim. [ citation needed ]

Hydroponics

Root rot can occur in hydroponic applications, if the water is not properly aerated. [1] This is usually accomplished by use of an air pump, air stones, air diffusers and by adjustment of the frequency and length of watering cycles where applicable. Hydroponic air pumps function in much the same way as aquarium pumps, which are used for the same purpose. Root rot and other problems associated with poor water aeration were principal reasons for the development of aeroponics.[ citation needed ]

Particular diseases

Some particular pathogens infect plants and causes root rot. Such pathogens are listed:

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hydroponics</span> Growing plants without soil using nutrients in water

Hydroponics is a type of horticulture and a subset of hydroculture which involves growing plants, usually crops or medicinal plants, without soil, by using water-based mineral nutrient solutions. Terrestrial or aquatic plants may grow with their roots exposed to the nutritious liquid or in addition, the roots may be mechanically supported by an inert medium such as perlite, gravel, or other substrates.

<i>Phytophthora</i> Genus of single-celled organisms

Phytophthora is a genus of plant-damaging oomycetes, whose member species are capable of causing enormous economic losses on crops worldwide, as well as environmental damage in natural ecosystems. The cell wall of Phytophthora is made up of cellulose. The genus was first described by Heinrich Anton de Bary in 1875. Approximately 170 species have been described, although 100–500 undiscovered Phytophthora species are estimated to exist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aeroponics</span> Mist-based plant growing process

Aeroponics is the process of growing plants in the air or mist environment without soil or an aggregate medium. The word "aeroponic" is derived from the Greek meanings of aer ("air") and ponos ("labour"). It is a subset of hydroponics, since water is used in aeroponics to transmit nutrients.

<i>Phytophthora cinnamomi</i> Species of single-celled organism

Phytophthora cinnamomi, also known as cinnamon fungus, is a soil-borne water mould that produces an infection which causes a condition in plants variously called "dieback", "root rot", or, "ink disease".

<i>Pythium</i> Genus of single-celled organisms

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<i>Phytophthora palmivora</i> Species of single-celled organism

Phytophthora palmivora is an oomycete that causes bud-rot of palms, fruit-rot or kole-roga of coconut and areca nut. These are among the most serious diseases caused by fungi and moulds in South India. It occurs almost every year in Malnad, Mysore, North & South Kanara, Malabar and other areas. Similar diseases of palms are also known to occur in Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and Sumatra. The causative organism was first identified as P. palmivora by Edwin John Butler in 1917.

<i>Phytophthora cactorum</i> Species of single-celled organism

Phytophthora cactorum is a fungal-like plant pathogen belonging to the Oomycota phylum. It is the causal agent of root rot on rhododendron and many other species, as well as leather rot of strawberries.

Phytophthora cryptogea is a species of water mould in the family Pythiaceae. It is a plant pathogen that infects several species of cultivated plants, including over 40 species of cultivated flowers. It was first described as the cause of tomato foot rot in tomatoes

Pythium dissotocum is a plant pathogen infecting strawberry and rice.

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<i>Armillaria novae-zelandiae</i> Species of fungus

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Black rot on orchids is caused by Pythium and Phytophthora species. Black rot targets a variety of orchids but Cattleya orchids are especially susceptible. Pythium ultimum and Phytophthora cactorum are known to cause black rot in orchids.

Cranberry Root Rot (CRR) is a disease in cranberries that can cause a decline in yield.

References

  1. 1 2 - Hydroponics Root Rot: What is It, How To Treat It, How to Prevent It Origin Hydroponics. June 2, 2018 - Root Rot In Your Hydroponic System: 4 Reasons (+ Solutions) YOUR INDOOR HERBS AND GARDEN. n.d - Tips For Preventing Root Rot In Hydroponics Fresh Air With Housplants. February 3, 2022.
  2. Old, K. M., See, L. S., Sharma, J. K., & Yuan, Z. Q. (2000). ROOT ROT. In A Manual of Diseases of Tropical Acacias in Australia, South-East Asia and India (pp. 88). Center for International Forestry Research. http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep02154.21
  3. 1 2 Old, K. M., See, L. S., Sharma, J. K., & Yuan, Z. Q. (2000). ROOT ROT. In A Manual of Diseases of Tropical Acacias in Australia, South-East Asia and India (pp. 89). Center for International Forestry Research. http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep02154.21
  4. "Arrive Clean, Leave Clean" (PDF). environment.gov.au. April 12, 2023. p. 4. Retrieved April 12, 2023.