Wortelrot is een plantenziekte veroorzaakt door pathogene waterschimmels (voornamelijk Pythium en Phytophthora) die plantenworte ls aanvallen in waterlogged of zuurstofarm condities. Aangetaste wortels worden bruin of zwart, slijmerig en verliezen het vermogen om water en voedingsstoffen op te nemen.
Belangrijkste feiten
- Primary pathogens: Pythium and Phytophthora water moulds, often pre-existing in water supplies
- Triggered by: insufficient dissolved oxygen, warm reservoir temperatures, and stagnant water
- Symptoms: brown/black slimy roots, wilting despite adequate water, yellowing leaves
- Prevention: maintain dissolved oxygen with air stones, keep reservoir below 20°C (68°F)
- Treatment: beneficial bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma) can suppress Pythium
- Hydrogen peroxide (3 mL of 3% per litre) can sterilise severely infected reservoirs