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Cotton (Texas) Root Rot
Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of Arizona

Written by
Mary Olsen, Plant Pathology Specialist

At a Glance:

• Cotton Root Rot commonly causes a sudden wilt and death of susceptible plants in summer months but may also cause a slow decline, especially at cooler temperatures.
• Positive identification of disease by an experienced person is essential.
• Replant infested soils only with tolerant or immune plants.

Pathogen

Soil borne fungus, Phymatotrichopsis omnivora (= Phymatotrichum omnivorum)

Host

Many dicotyledonous trees and shrubs.

Symptoms/signs

Cotton (Texas) Root Rot often causes a rapid wilt and death of the host in the late spring, summer and early fall when temperatures are warm. Dead and dying leaves remain attached to the plant. However, infected plants also may decline more slowly, especially at cooler temperatures and when plants are well cared for. The roots of dying or declining plants are rotted. With careful examination under at least 10X magnification, light brown strands or hyphal webs of the fungus can be observed on the root surface. With sufficient moisture, the fungus may occasionally produce a white to light tan sterile spore mat on the surface of the soil near the host, but these mats are not common.

Environmental conditions

Rapid wilting and death occurs in hot weather due to the inability of the host plant to take up enough water through its rotted roots. Thus, Cotton Root Rot is usually considered a warm weather disease. However, host plants, especially mature trees, may have been infected for some time and die rapidly in warm weather as transpirational demand for water increases.

Disease

Cotton Root Rot occurs throughout the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is easily recognized in infested cotton fields in late summer by large areas of dead plants, hence its common name. It is most common in the low desert areas where winters are mild, but also occurs at higher elevations, up to at least 5000 ft, where susceptible plants are introduced. Disease occurs in different soil types and in areas as diverse as the low lying flood plains of rivers and washes of central and western Arizona and the higher grassland hills of southern Arizona. The pathogen, Phymatotrichopsis omnivora (also called Phymatotrichum omnivorum), is an indigenous soil borne fungus that is found deep in soils. P. omnivora produces hyphal strands that colonize the roots and cause rot of the entire root system. A dense web of hyphae covers the root once the fungus has penetrated and caused decay. The strands grow through the soil and infect healthy roots nearby. The fungus also survives for long periods of time in the soil by producing hyphal structures called sclerotia that have been found as deep as 12 ft in soils. Since P. omnivora produces no airborne spores or other reproductive structures, it spreads only by growth of the strands in soil. It has an extremely wide host range and has been reported as a pathogen of over 2000 dicotyledonous plants. Monocots are immune.

Prevention/control

Unfortunately, there is no way to test soils for presence of the fungus other than planting a susceptible plant. Since other pathogens can cause root rots and other factors could result in similar symptoms, it is very important that a positive identification of the pathogen be made by an experienced person. Hy-phae and strands of the fungus used for diagnosis are easiest to find on fresh tissue but can also be found on older, decayed roots.

How to sample

If the plant is dead or dying, remove as much of the root system as possible when taking it out. Take several samples of rotting and discolored roots on which the outer or cortical tissue still remains attached. The samples should be pencil size or slightly larger and at least 6 inches long.

Leave soil attached and keep the roots cool (refrigeration is fine) in a plastic bag. Do not add water or wet paper towels. Submit the sample to your County Extension Office or The Department of Plant Pathology, Forbes 204,The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721. Please send samples early in the week to avoid delays in transit.

Susceptible plants

Susceptible plants should not be planted in areas where Cotton Root Rot is known to occur. Trees such as fruit and nut trees, ash, cottonwood, elms, figs, sycamore, bottle tree, silk oak, pepper tree and African sumac are considered very susceptible. Many shrubs including pomegranate, xylosma, cassia, Mexican bird of paradise, oleander, and roses also are very susceptible. Annuals usually escape disease since they are in the ground such a short time or are planted in winter months when the fungus is apparently less active.

Tolerant and immune plants

Although many dicotyledons have been found to be susceptible to some degree, some are very tolerant. Mesquites, palo verde, Atriplex, hackberry, jojoba, and cacti are tolerant and remain healthy in landscapes where other plants have died from disease. All monocots, such as palms, yuccas and grasses are immune and are good choices to plant anywhere that Cotton Root Rot has been diagnosed. Citrus, eucalyptus, tamarisk, and pine are considered tolerant, but Cotton Root Rot has been confirmed on all of these trees. Check the list of tolerant or immune plants before planting in any area where Cotton Root Rot has been identified and before replanting a site in which a plant has died from this disease.

Treatments with soil additives, such as manures and fertilizers, are rarely successful and are not recommended for control. Chemical controls have been successful in some cases, but are expensive, must be applied by a licensed applicator, and should be repeated every year or two in order to control disease.

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Document located http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/diseases/az1150.html
Published February 2000
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