comprehensive and detailed list of all major root diseases affecting plants

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Here’s a comprehensive and detailed list of all major root diseases affecting plants, including causal agents, symptoms, host plants, conditions favoring the disease, and treatment options. The diseases are categorized based on their etiology: fungal, bacterial, nematodal, viral (rare), physiological, and nutrient-related.


🦠 I. Fungal Root Diseases

Disease NamePathogen (Latin)Host PlantsSymptomsConditionsSeverityTreatment
Phytophthora Root RotPhytophthora spp.Avocado, citrus, durian, peppersDark brown to black root rot, stem cankers, leaf wiltPoor drainage, warm & wetHighMetalaxyl, Fosetyl-Al
Fusarium Root RotFusarium solani, F. oxysporumTomato, beans, cucurbitsBrown streaks on roots, yellowing leaves, plant stuntingHigh temperature, acidic soilsMedium–HighCarbendazim, crop rotation
Pythium Root RotPythium spp.Lettuce, spinach, seedlingsWater-soaked roots, damping offHigh moisture, low oxygenHigh in seedlingsPropamocarb, disinfection
Rhizoctonia Root RotRhizoctonia solaniRice, potatoes, vegetablesBrown sunken lesions on roots and collarsWarm, moist soilMediumPCNB, soil solarization
Armillaria Root RotArmillaria melleaWoody perennialsWhite mycelium under bark, root decayForest soils, poorly drained areasChronicNone effective; remove stump

🧫 II. Bacterial Root Diseases

Disease NamePathogenHost PlantsSymptomsConditionsTreatment
Crown GallAgrobacterium tumefaciensGrapes, roses, stone fruitsTumorous galls at root crownWounded rootsSanitation, resistant rootstocks
Bacterial Root RotErwinia carotovoraCarrot, onion, ornamental bulbsSoft mushy roots, foul odorWaterlogged soilsStreptomycin (limited use), drainage

🐛 III. Nematode-Related Root Diseases

Disease NameNematode SpeciesHost PlantsSymptomsTypeControl
Root Knot NematodeMeloidogyne spp.Tomato, okra, cucurbitsRoot galls, stuntingEndoparasiticAbamectin, solarization, resistant varieties
Lesion NematodePratylenchus spp.Bananas, cerealsLesions, browning, poor root hairsMigratory endoparasiteCrop rotation, organic amendments
Stubby Root NematodeTrichodorus spp.Corn, potatoesShort, stubby rootsEctoparasiteFumigation, soil organic matter

🧬 IV. Viral Root Diseases (Rare, usually secondary)

Disease NameVirusHost PlantsRoot SymptomsTransmission
Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)BBTV (DNA, non-enveloped)BananaRoot decay (secondary to top death)Aphids
Cassava Mosaic DiseaseGeminivirusesCassavaWeak roots (indirect)Whitefly

📌 Viral root symptoms are usually secondary due to systemic plant decline rather than direct infection of root tissues.


🌱 V. Root Disorders Due to Environmental Stress

NameCauseHost PlantsSymptomsSolution
Root AsphyxiationWaterloggingMost cropsBlackened roots, wiltingImprove drainage, raised beds
Salt DamageHigh salinity (Na⁺, Cl⁻)Rice, onionsRoot tip burn, poor absorptionLeaching, gypsum, tolerant varieties
Soil CompactionHigh bulk densityMaize, wheatLimited root depthTillage, organic matter

🥕 VI. Nutrient Deficiency-Related Root Disorders

Deficient NutrientRoot EffectHost PlantsVisual SymptomsCorrection
Phosphorus (P)Poor root branchingAll vegetablesPurplish leaves, weak root systemRock phosphate, DAP
Calcium (Ca)Weak cell wallsTomato, strawberryBrittle roots, blossom end rotLime, CaNO₃
Nitrogen (N)Shallow root massLeafy greensPale leaves, stunted rootsUrea, compost
Iron (Fe)Chlorosis affects root metabolismCitrus, soybeanInterveinal chlorosisFe-chelates
Zinc (Zn)Stunted primary rootCorn, beansLeaf bronzing, reduced root tipsZnSO₄ foliar spray

🧪 VII. Root Cancer and Neoplastic Disorders

ConditionCauseHostSymptomsTreatment
Crown Gall (tumor-like)Agrobacterium tumefaciensFruit trees, grapesLarge root gallsNone curative
Root Hyperplasia (due to hormone imbalance)Mutation or pathogensOrchids, tubersRoot overgrowthPruning

📊 Summary by Disease Type and Control Difficulty

Disease TypeFrequencySeverityEase of ControlKey Strategy
FungalVery CommonHighModerateFungicides + drainage
BacterialModerateMediumModerateHygiene + resistant rootstocks
NematodesCommonModerate–HighDifficultRotation + nematicides
Nutrient IssuesCommonLow–MediumEasyBalanced fertilization
EnvironmentalWidespreadHigh if unmanagedVariesCultural practices
ViralRare (for roots)Indirectly SevereHardVector control

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