Root rot

Editorial diagnosis

Diagnosis overview

Root rot occurs when roots are damaged by excess moisture, lack of oxygen, or soil-borne pathogens.

In gardens, Root rot can occur on plants including Cynara scolymus, Barbarea vulgaris, Tree spinach, Satureja. In the available profiles, it is linked mainly with Cucurbits, Fruit, Fruit vegetables. Recorded timing or triggers include peak infection year-round in waterlogged conditions, During wet weather and poor drainage.

The recorded risk level is high. Conditions that favour it include Wet weather or prolonged leaf wetness, Dense planting and poor airflow, Susceptible cultivars. It becomes serious when few firm pale roots remain.

Compare upper and lower leaf surfaces, the boundary between healthy and damaged tissue, and spread after wet weather. Coatings, spores, or progressive rot support a disease diagnosis.

A common mistake is to identify a disease from one spot alone; weather, spread, and pathogen structures also need to fit.