Damping Off
Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia solani
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameDamping Off
DescriptionDamping off is the sudden collapse and death of newly germinated seedlings. Identify water-soaked stems at the soil line to save your young garden starts.
TypeFungus
FamilyPythiaceae
GenusPythium
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumOomycota
ClassPeronosporea
OrderPythiales
Features
- Named for the way healthy-looking seedlings suddenly tip over and die, as if they were 'dampened' or knocked down. Caused by a complex of soil-borne organisms like Pythium and Rhizoctonia
- Characterized by seedlings that fail to emerge (pre-emergence damping off) or young plants that collapse at the soil surface (post-emergence damping off)
- The pathogen attacks the tender stem tissue at or just below the soil line, causing it to become water-soaked, thin, and shriveled before the plant collapses
- Collapsed seedlings often show a pinched, dark, or wiry stem base. Even if they don't die immediately, affected plants are stunted and rarely reach maturity
- Survives in soil and garden debris. Spreads through contaminated pots, tools, and unsterilized soil. High humidity and poor air circulation favor its rapid spread
- The organisms are microscopic. The sudden death of entire trays of seedlings is the primary visible sign of an outbreak
- Thrives in cool, wet soil with poor drainage. Overwatering and heavy, compacted soil mixes provide the perfect environment for the pathogen to swim and infect
- Attacks almost all newly germinated seeds, particularly tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and various ornamental flowers started indoors
- Prevent by using sterilized, well-draining seed-starting mix. Never reuse pots without disinfecting them with bleach. Ensure good air circulation with a fan
- Once started, it's hard to stop. Remove infected seedlings immediately. Thin out crowded seedlings to improve air flow. Water from the bottom and allow soil surface to dry
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificPythium spp., Rhizoctonia solani
English (Alternate)Seedling blight, Root rot (in seedlings)
Hindiआर्द्र पतन (Ardra patan)
Tamilநாற்று அழுகல் நோய் (Naatru azhukal noy)
Teluguనారు కుళ్లు తెగులు (Naru kullu tegulu)
Malayalamവാട്ടം (Vāṭṭaṁ - in seedlings)
Kannadaಸಸಿ ಬಾಡು ರೋಗ (Sasi bāḍu rōga)
Sanskritआर्द्र-पतन (Ārdra-pata)
Bengaliড্যাম্পিং অফ (Damping off)
Frenchfonte des semis
Russianчерная ножка (chernaya nozhka)
Spanishmarchitamiento fungoso
GermanUmfallkrankheit
