Root Rot Disease Root rot is a lethal plant disease. It can be caused due to waterlogging or various types of fungi. Waterlogging can be c...
Root rot is a lethal plant disease. It can be caused due to waterlogging or various types of fungi. Waterlogging can be caused due to poor drainage, rainfall, or overwatering.
However, poor drainage is the primary cause of waterlogging. Water flows out through sandy type of soil. But clayey soils, often found in gardens hold the water for longer periods. This causes waterlogging.
The plant roots require oxygen to breathe. But the logged water prevents them from breathing. Being soaked in wet soils, they also decay. Hence, they lose their ability to absorb the essential nutrients and water.
Under these conditions, the plants are deprived of essential nutrients. They wilt, decolorize, and also have stunted growth. Ultimately, the plants die out sometimes in a couple of weeks.
Root rot is caused by soilborne Fungai also such as Phytophthora. This Fungai thrives well in wet soils. Failing the roots, it also causes the plants to die.
Usually, the infested plants are easy to pull out, as they are weak.
Identifying Root Rot
In fact, the disease starts with the underground roots. After the disease intensifies, the leaves and other above-ground parts show signs of infection. At this stage, the damage is already done to the plants.
Normally, the leaves of the infected plants turn yellow. They may also appear unusually small, twisted, curled, etc., Finally, they drop off from the plants. if you inspect the roots, they may appear blackish or dark brownish. They may also stink with rotten threads.
Another sign is, no matter how much you increase watering quantity, the leaves or other visible parts always appear wilted.
Preventing Root Rot
Preventing measures are simple than many people think. Just avoid overwatering and provide good drainage for the plant soils. These two steps can help prevent the disease to a large extent.
Watering
In terms of measurement, it is difficult to determine the quantity of water, considered as too much water. The best practical way to find whether the plant is receiving enough water is, to dig the soil, just outside the root zone.
If the soil is soggy, decrease the water, and if it is dry increase the water. Normally, the soil in and around the root zones should be evenly wet.
Drainage
There are a number of ways to increase the drainage capacity of the soils. Some of them are:
1.) Installing French drains in the field
2.) Growing plants in the raised beds
3.) Amending the soil with compost or other agents
4.) Pry off the soil and aerating periodically
Treating Root Rot
If you see the symptoms in the plants, just dig them out immediately. Wash the roots and check the damage. if the damage is excess, you have to destroy the plant immediately, so as to avoid further transmission of disease to other healthy plants.
However, if you damage is lesser, you can simply remove off the diseased portions with sterilized garden tools. Then, replant the plant in a fresh new location that has good drainage. Make sure to add Friable soil to avoid the root rot infection in the future.
Plants for the Wet Soils
If your soil is always wetter or soggy, grow plants that can tolerate these soils. For instance, willows (like Salix discolor) and Northern blue flag (Iris versicolor) can thrive well in wet soils.
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