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Root rot
Fungal diseaseHigh impact
Roots are decaying, usually caused by excess moisture, poor drainage, or soil-borne pathogens. Affected plants cannot take up water or nutrients effectively and typically decline rapidly.
Key facts
- Type
- Fungal disease
- Active season
- Apr - Oct
- Peak season
- Apr - Oct
- Vulnerable stages
- Sown · Transplanted · Growing
- Spread rate
- slow
- If confirmed
- Act now
Signs & symptoms
- -soft, dark, or brown discoloured roots when lifted
- -unpleasant smell from the root zone
- -plants wilting or failing despite adequate soil moisture
- -stunted growth or sudden plant collapse
Management
Do now
- -Reduce watering immediately and allow soil to dry
- -Remove and bin badly affected plants - do not compost
- -Improve drainage in the affected area if possible
Prevention
- -Ensure beds have good drainage before planting
- -Raise beds or improve soil structure in persistently waterlogged areas
- -Avoid overwatering, particularly in cooler weather when plant water demand is lower