Rotten parsley
My bed of parsley is doing really well except now and then a plant dies over
a period of a week or two. The roots turn to mush and then the leaves wither and turn yellow. I reckon it's a fungus attacking the roots. The question is: what sort of fungus is it and how do I deal with it? David |
Rotten parsley
"David Hare-Scott" wrote in message ... My bed of parsley is doing really well except now and then a plant dies over a period of a week or two. The roots turn to mush and then the leaves wither and turn yellow. I reckon it's a fungus attacking the roots. The question is: what sort of fungus is it and how do I deal with it? David Where do you live? Are these plants that've been in the ground since last summer, or new ones you installed this season? Describe the growing conditions (shade, sun, etc) and what your weather's been like. |
Rotten parsley
David:
If you`re absolutely sure it`s a fungus and it`s not due to overwatering, clayey soil, etc. - I have to say it sounds like a fungus that I`m especially familiar with, especially due to the conditions you describe. The `every now and then a plant dies over a period of a week or two` statement kind of clinches it for me. It sounds a lot like Pythium root rot, although it could also be rhizoctonia, but Pythium is more likely since it`s usually confined to one or two plants in soil-based systems such as gardens. A solution? There are several. 1) You can make sure your plants aren`t unduly stressed. 2) Don`t overwater, especially if you have a lot of clay in your soil (in a soil environment, the pathogen spreads quite easily in water-logged soils which create surface water conditions, especially in poorly drained soils containing clay, which is why I pointed out clayey soils... natch). 3) Look for the ingredients metalaxyl or agral or any kind of surfactant (any chemical which breaks down the surface tension of water - even a bit of soapy water (made with biodegradable soap, of course!)) in any pesticide from Canadian Tire or Home Hardware or whatever gardening store is close by - this item sprayed onto the soil surface around the affected area (NOT everywhere in your garden, and always on the soil surface, as the ingredients could potentially stress your plants, making them even more susceptible to infection... plus, I`m sure you`d like to ensure you`re not munching down on a healthy dose of pesticides!) every two days (or according to directions on the label) could do the trick in preventing it from spreading to other plants. Please feel free to go to my website at http://www.GCILifeSciences.blogspot.com - my other discussion groups are listed there, and every now and then, you might find information relavant to your gardens! |
Rotten parsley
I looked at your website and found that you are expert in agricultural
science, especially pathology. So I am going to post a question about asters and fusarium, a question to which I have been seeking an answer for years. I'll be pleased if you reply to it. Andrew wrote in message oups.com... David: Please feel free to go to my website at http://www.GCILifeSciences.blogspot.com - my other discussion groups are listed there, and every now and then, you might find information relavant to your gardens! |
Rotten parsley
wrote in message oups.com... David: If you`re absolutely sure it`s a fungus and it`s not due to overwatering, clayey soil, etc. - I have to say it sounds like a fungus that I`m especially familiar with, especially due to the conditions you describe. The `every now and then a plant dies over a period of a week or two` statement kind of clinches it for me. The base soil is heavy clay-silt but it is improved with a fair bit of organic matter and gypsum, and the beds are built up about 15in. It has been very dry here and I have been hand watering about every 4-5 days. The parsley is part of one bed of a large vege garden that has been producing a variety of veges very well through summer and autumn and not showing any other signs of over wetness. It sounds a lot like Pythium root rot, although it could also be rhizoctonia, but Pythium is more likely since it`s usually confined to one or two plants in soil-based systems such as gardens. A solution? There are several. 1) You can make sure your plants aren`t unduly stressed. The parsley has not got to wilting point due to dryness and I am careful with water as I have to pump it up from the river and hold the hose, no way I can just turn on a sprinkler and forget it!. 2) Don`t overwater, especially if you have a lot of clay in your soil (in a soil environment, the pathogen spreads quite easily in water-logged soils which create surface water conditions, especially in poorly drained soils containing clay, which is why I pointed out clayey soils... natch). The applied water soaks in quite quickly, even when it rains quite hard (when it does rain which hasn't been often lately) the garden drains off surface water in about half an hour. For a heavy soil it is in pretty good shape. 3) Look for the ingredients metalaxyl or agral or any kind of surfactant (any chemical which breaks down the surface tension of water - even a bit of soapy water (made with biodegradable soap, of course!)) in any pesticide from Canadian Tire or Home Hardware or whatever gardening store is close by - this item sprayed onto the soil surface around the affected area (NOT everywhere in your garden, and always on the soil surface, as the ingredients could potentially stress your plants, making them even more susceptible to infection... plus, I`m sure you`d like to ensure you`re not munching down on a healthy dose of pesticides!) every two days (or according to directions on the label) could do the trick in preventing it from spreading to other plants. I think I will have to try such a fungicide, we are coming to the end of the growing season here and if the parsley keeps pegging I will have none for winter or early spring. Please feel free to go to my website at http://www.GCILifeSciences.blogspot.com - my other discussion groups are listed there, and every now and then, you might find information relavant to your gardens! thanks for the info David |
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