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Damping off (Pythium ultimum) – identify and control
Damping-off is the most serious disease that can be found in nurseries, greenhouses, or even in the field. It is found in young plants of vegetables, flowers, seedlings in nurseries, or even in cereals crops.
Symptoms. The seedlings sprouted from infested soil show browning of the tissues in the basal area of the stem. It extends both up the stem and down to the root. The stems of the seedlings thin out in the attacked area, and the seedlings wither and lie on the ground. There, it will rot completely. The attack occurs in patches and spreads rapidly. The disease is favored by temperatures of 20-30°C and humidity of over 90%. At the surface of the soil, there is a presence of a fine, whitish mycelial layer which ultimately expands. In case of a strong infestation of the soil, only attacked patches are observed, without emerged plants, because they rot until coming to the surface.
The attack has a slower evolution after transplanting, when the plants are better aerated and gain resistance by the stems turning green and forming mechanical, protective tissues. The absence of light, insufficient ventilation, excess humidity, and acidic pH are favorable factors for the installation and evolution of the fungus. If no action is taken when the first symptoms are noticed, in 2-3 days all the seedlings in the greenhouse or nursery can be compromised.
The pathogen. The transmission of the Pythium ultimum fungus from one year to another is done through the resistance spores in the soil. During the growing season, the transmission of the fungus from one plant to another is done through the spores carried by the water from the soil.
Prevention and control. Since the critical period of the damping-off disease is limited to the seedling stage, preventive measures must ensure the protection of seedlings from infections, until their transplantation in the field. Of particular importance, in the case of this disease, is the disinfection of the soil in the nursery or its replacement with uncontaminated soil. During the emergence and development of seedlings, excess moisture will be avoided and good aeration of the plants will be ensured.
Disinfection of soil can be done with specific products.
For chemical control, it is recommended to carry out treatments with specific fungicides.
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