detailed and categorized catalog of root diseases

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Here’s a detailed and categorized catalog of root diseases affecting a wide range of plants—from ornamentals to crops—based on pathogen type, with symptoms, conditions, hosts, and treatment guidelines.


🦠 1. Fungal & Fungal-like (Oomycetes) Root Diseases

DiseasePathogen(s)HostsSymptomsConditions FavoringTreatment
Phytophthora Root RotPhytophthora spp. (e.g., P. cinnamomi, P. sojae, P. parasitica)Avocado, soybean, ornamentals, citrus, forest treesBrown/black mushy roots, stem rots, sudden wilting, stuntingPoor drainage, warm/wet soils hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu+5toxicfreefuture.org+5ag.umass.edu+5en.wikipedia.org+15hort.extension.wisc.edu+15cropprotectionnetwork.org+15en.wikipedia.orgcropprotectionnetwork.org+1growertalks.com+1Metalaxyl, Fosetyl‑Al, phosphonates, improved drainage
Pythium Root Rot / Damping-OffPythium spp. (e.g., P. ultimum)Seedlings, ornamentals, vegetablesWater-soaked, soft roots, damping-offOverwatering, low O₂Propamocarb, mefenoxam, sanitation, avoid overwatering
Fusarium Root RotFusarium solani, F. oxysporumTomato, beans, soybean, ornamental bulbsBrown streaks on roots, stuntingHigh temps, poor soilCarbendazim, Trichoderma, rotation
Rhizoctonia Root & Crown RotRhizoctonia solaniRice, potatoes, vegetables, ornamentalsSunken, dry lesions at collarWarm, moist soilsPCNB, soil solarization
Sclerotinia (Southern Blight)Sclerotium rolfsiiSouthern cropsRotted roots, white mycelial fanWarm/compacted soilsFungicides, burn debris
Armillaria / Shoestring Root RotArmillaria melleaTrees/shrubsRoot decay, white mycelium under barkMoist forest soilsRemove infected roots/stumps
Black Root RotThielaviopsis basicolaVegetables, floricultureBlackened root segmentsTemperate/pooled waterFungicides, pH adjustment
Aphanomyces Root RotAphanomyces euteichesLegumes (pea, bean)Grey, water-soaked, rotten rootsCool, wet soilHigh-quality rotations, resistant varieties

🧫 2. Bacterial Root Diseases

DiseasePathogenHostsSymptomsConditionsTreatment
Bacterial Soft Rot (Erwinia spp.)Erwinia carotovoraCarrot, potato, ornamentalsSoft, foul-smelling roots en.wikipedia.org+10apsnet.org+10en.wikipedia.org+10thespruce.com+1growertalks.com+1Waterlogged, warm soilSanitation, drainage
Crown GallAgrobacterium tumefaciensGrapevine, fruit treesSwollen, gall-like rootsWounds, graft sitesResistant rootstocks, hygiene

🐛 3. Nematode-Induced Root Disorders

DiseaseNematode SpeciesHostsSymptomsControl
Root-Knot NematodeMeloidogyne spp.Many cropsSwollen galls, stunting thespruce.comcropprotectionnetwork.org+13en.wikipedia.org+13thespruce.com+13Nematicides, rotation, resistant varieties
Lesion NematodePratylenchus spp.Vegetables, ornamentalsRoot necrosis, bronzingFumigation, organic matter
Stubby-Root NematodeTrichodorus spp.Field cropsShort, stubby rootsSoil fumigation

🌱 4. Physiological and Environmental Root Disorders

DisorderCauseHostsSymptomsSolution
Asphyxiation (Waterlogging)Flooded soil, poor drainageMost cropsBlackened roots, wilting ag.umass.edu+4thespruce.com+4hort.extension.wisc.edu+4southernliving.comImprove drainage, raised beds
Salt DamageHigh soil salinityRice, onionsBurned root tipsLeaching salts, gypsum
CompactionHeavy machineryField cropsShallow, restricted rootsAerate, add organic matter
Chemical BurnHerbicide/over-fertilizingContainer plantsNecrotic rootsLeach soil, flush fertilizer

🥕 5. Nutrient Deficiency–Related Root Issues

DeficiencySymptom in RootsAffected PlantsCorrection
Phosphorus (P)Poor branchingVegetables, cerealsDAP, organic P amendments
Calcium (Ca)Weak root tipsTomatoes, fruitLime, CaNO₃ foliar
Nitrogen (N)Sparse shallow rootsLeafy greensUrea, compost
Iron (Fe)Limited root healthCitrus, legumesChelated Fe
Zinc (Zn)Reduced root elongationMaize, beanZnSO₄ foliar

📊 Summary

  • Fungal/root-rot pathogens (Phytophthora, Pythium, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Armillaria) are the most destructive, especially under wet soil conditions.

  • Bacterial and nematode disorders can cause severe root damage—often exacerbated by stress.

  • Environmental and nutrient issues are widespread but often misdiagnosed as disease; these require different management.

  • Preventive measures: use disease‑free planting material, improve soil drainage and structure, rotate crops, maintain balanced fertilization, and apply appropriate fungicides/nematicides based on diagnosis.

 

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