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Signs of damage
- Root rot in mature plants.
- Damping off. Newly emerged seedlings are killed. They’ll look water soaked and have a soft brown lesion at the base of the stem.
- Wilting in young plants. This will happen once the weather begins to get warmer and sunny.
- Necrosis. Dark lesions in root tips.
- Peeling off in larger roots.
How to prevent
Crop rotation alone usually doesn’t eradicate this parasite. Optimal growing conditions should be employed, making plants less susceptible to this and other parasites.
Choose well-drained soil, check the temperatures of the roots and maintain them within the requirements for each plant. Also, avoid any root damage, as this weakens the plants and becomes the gateway for Pythium outbreaks.
Avoid overwatering and trade untreated water from lakes or ponds with treated tap water since these are regulated and safe.
Good aeration between plants, especially in places like greenhouses, will reduce spreading, as well as keep the spaces sanitized and free of any debris.
Heal
Remove and destroy severely damaged plants, usually by burning or burying them deep. You can use fungicides, although Pythium is known for resisting some of the common active ingredients.
If possible, professional advice is the safest option for choosing the best recovery path.
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