Root Rot
Phytophthora spp., Pythium spp.
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameRoot Rot
DescriptionRoot rot turns healthy roots into a brown, mushy mess, starving the plant. Identify early wilting in wet soil to prevent the death of your garden and houseplants.
TypeFungus
FamilyPeronosporaceae
GenusPhytophthora
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumOomycota
ClassPeronosporea
OrderPeronosporales
Features
- A group of diseases caused by various soil-borne organisms like Phytophthora and Pythium. Named for its primary symptom: the literal rotting of the root system
- Characterized by plants that appear starved for water—wilting and yellowing—even when the soil is wet. This is because the rotted roots cannot absorb moisture
- Healthy white or tan roots become soft, brown, or black and slimy. In advanced cases, the outer layer of the root easily slides off, leaving a thin core
- Plants show poor vigor, stunted growth, and premature leaf drop. Leaves may turn yellow or red. The base of the stem at the soil line may also appear dark and rotted
- Overwinters in soil and plant debris as thick-walled spores. Spread by moving contaminated soil and by water runoff carrying mobile 'zoospores'
- The organisms are microscopic. The destruction of the root system and the resulting collapse of the crown are the primary diagnostic signs
- Thrives in saturated, poorly drained, or overwatered 'heavy' soils. Most active when soil temperatures are warm and oxygen levels in the soil are low
- Attacks a vast range of plants including vegetables, fruit trees, berries, and almost all houseplants grown in pots with poor drainage
- The best prevention is ensuring excellent drainage. Never overwater; allow the top inch of soil to dry before watering again. Use only clean, sterilized pots
- Once roots are completely rotted, the plant cannot be saved. For early cases, improve drainage immediately and treat with beneficial microbes like Trichoderma
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificPhytophthora spp., Pythium spp.
English (Alternate)Water mold, Wet feet, Crown rot
Hindiजड़ सड़न (Jad sadan)
Tamilவேர் அழுகல் நோய் (Ver azhukal noy)
Teluguవేరుకుళ్లు తెగులు (Verukullu tegulu)
Malayalamവേരുചീച്ചിൽ (Vēru-cīccil)
Kannadaಬೇರು ಕೊಳೆ ರೋಗ (Bēru koḷe rōga)
Sanskritमूल-सड़न-रग (Mūla-saḍana-roga)
Bengaliশিকড় পচা রোগ (Shikor pocha rog)
Frenchpourridié, pourriture des racines
Russianкореневая гниль (kornevaya gnil')
Spanishpudrición de raíz
GermanWurzelfäule
