The Concepts of Root Rot in Ornaments - Term Paper Example

ROOT ROT IN ORNAMENTS Name Institution Date Root Rot in Ornaments Introduction Ornamental plants are also referred to as the garden plants which are mainly grown for aesthetic value. The ornaments are common plants in most of the gardens. These plants are prone to pests and diseases which may cause them to welter. The diseases that attack the ornaments are however, varied and it depends on various conditions that the ornaments are exposed to. Root rot is one of the diseases that attack the ornaments leading to the wilting of the plants. The soil condition may also result to the disease. The diseases caused by a fungus and the phytopthora species is the main genus of the fungi (Lombard, et al, 2011). This disease is difficult to control and it usually spreads a high rate among the ornaments. The spread of the disease is usually high when the soil is moist. This means that proper drainage is highly recommended in the garden where the ornaments have been planted. This is usually achieved through the use of organic materials. Various measures should be put in place for the purposes of preventing the occurrence of the disease among the ornaments due to its negative effects on the plants. Reduced growth of the plant is one of the characteristic of the disease among the ornaments. It is also important to note that the disease affects various parts of the plant. This includes the stems, the roots, the bark as well as the leaves. Adequate control measures are important when dealing with root rot in ornaments. The spread of the fungus is usually high during the rainy season. This is because of the splashing of the raindrop which transmits the fungus to the other plants. On the other hand, it is also important to note that some of the farming practices encourage the spread of the fungus that causes the root rot. Overhead irrigation causes the splash dispersal of the fungus and hence its spread to the other plants (Elmer, et al, 2012). The runoff is also responsible for the spread of the disease as it carries the fungus. Purchasing new plants may also result to the spread of root rot in ornaments. This is because the shipment of the plants from one area to another is also responsible for the spread of the disease. Plants from different sources should not be mixed as it may result to the spread to the disease. The process of recycling the irrigation water is also responsible for the spread of rot. This usually occurs when the water from the infected plants are used. Chemical control of the disease is also recommended in some instances. However it is also important to note that the chemical control may not be efficient once the disease has started spreading at a high rate among the ornaments. Effective treatment of the plants with the disease is also not available. Cultivation methods can also be used for the purposes of avoiding the spread of the disease. The paper thus discusses the concepts of root rot in ornaments. Causes and Spread The cause of root rot is mainly fungal and it spreads through the soil. Several species of fungus are responsible for causing root rot in ornaments. Phytopthora is however the main fungus that is responsible for root rot in ornaments. However, the symptoms of root rot are similar regardless of the fungus that causes it. The disease causes the death of the crop as it is difficult to control the fungus. The phytophthora fungus thrives well in wet soil and hence its effects on the ornaments. This fungus is responsible for stunted growth of the plants that have been attacked by the disease. The disease can be caused and spread through the following means: When transplanting the ornaments from one area to the other, the fungus may also be transported and hence causing the disease. The spread of the root rot is through the moist soil and hence its difficulties in terms of controlling it. The problem is further complicated by the fact that the ornaments have to be irrigated from time to time in order for the plants to survive (Graham, et al, 2011). The fungus species that causes root rot is mainly found in the farm soil and hence it’s spread among the ornaments. The presence of different types of fungi in the soil may also result to root rot in ornaments. On the other hand, the rate of spread is dependant on the prevailing weather condition. During the rainy season, the spread of the disease is usually high due to the high moisture content in the soil (Pecknold, et al, 2013). The soil temperature is also a factor that determines the development and spread of the disease in the in ornaments. The infection of the ornaments with the root rot mainly occurs when the soil temperatures are between fifteen degrees centigrade and twenty two degrees centigrade. A temperature of twenty two degrees centigrade is usually considered as an optimum (Szigethy, 2013). However it is also important to note that it may be difficult to control the soil temperatures and hence the spread of the disease among the ornaments. The saturation level of the soil is also an important factor that determines the spread of root rot in ornaments. The soil moisture that is below the saturation level plays an important role in terms of promoting the formation of the sporangia with four to eight hours. The sporangia are the fungus that is responsible for the root rot in ornaments. Formation of the sporangia then leads to the release of the zoospores within one hour. This in turn leads to the spread of the disease in the ornaments. This therefore indicates that poorly drained soil and wet soil promotes the development of the fungus that causes the root rot in ornaments. The zoospores developed usually infect the feeder root which is located behind the cap of the root. This in turn leas to the development of the disease and hence leading to the infections. On the other hand, it is also important to note that the PH of the soil does not play a role in the spread of the disease. This means that root rot can develop under any PH of the soil. The fungus that causes root rot spreads faster during the heavy rains. This is because the splashing of the raindrops causes the fungus to be dispersed in the soil and hence its spread. This also indicates that the control of root rot in ornaments may prove difficult during the rainy season. Overhead irrigation is also a common method that is used for the purposes of irrigation in ornament. This could also lead to the spread of the fungus that causes root rot. Overhead irrigation also leads to the splashing and hence the dispersal of the fungus leading to the spread of root rot (Serrano, 2012). Heavy rainfall on the other hand causes runoff which leads to the transportation of the fungus to different locations (Hansen, 2011). This is turn leads to the spread of root rot in ornaments. The transportation of ornaments from one location to the other is also responsible for the spread of root rot. This is because it ornaments that are infected may be transport in other locations and hence leading to the spread of the disease in ornaments. It is also important to note that the transplanting process of the ornaments can also lead to the spread of root rot in ornament. This is usually common when the infected ornaments are translated to areas where the ornaments are not infected. This therefore indicates that the control of root rot in ornaments is a complex process. Symptoms The reduced growth of the plant is one of the first symptoms of root rot in ornaments. The branches fail to develop normally. Stunted growth is the condition that is used to describe the reduced growth rate among the ornaments that have been infected by the disease. This leads to the slow growth rate of the plant. On the other hand the sizes of the leaves are also reduced. The leaves of the infected plants also starts to shrivel, curl and eventually drops at different stages of the disease. The change in color of the leaves is also common among the ornaments after the infection. The color of the leaves may also change to yellow, purple or red. This symptom is also similar to the nutrient deficiency symptoms that usually occur among the ornaments. It therefore indicates that the disease has a negative impact on the intake of the nutrients among the crops. The bark of the ornaments also changes color at the base. This may result to the base being brown, dark or reddish. The roots of the infected ornaments also changes the color to red or brown which is the main factor that distinguished the disease from the other diseases that affects the ornaments. At an advanced stage of the disease, the discoloration of the trunks as well as the branches usually occurs. Such plants are difficult to treat as the disease has completely spread to most parts of the crop (Lops, et al, 2013). A dead feeder root is a symptom of the disease among the ornaments during the advanced stage of the disease. This is usually caused by the fungus as it also attacks the roots and hence affecting its growth and development. The rooting system is usually affected leading to the poor development and hence its death. It is also for this reason that the disease is referred to root rot. The new shoots of the ornaments usually fail to develop after the attack of the ornament by root rot. This symptom is usually common in the advanced stage of the disease. The wilting of the ornaments usually occurs in severe cases of the disease. The death of the plant usually occurs in the sever cases of the disease. Dead areas are usually common among the ornaments that have been infected by the disease. This usually occurs at the cambium of the plant (Cao, et al, 2010). This is also common at the advanced stage of the disease. The effects that the diseases have on the plants therefore make it difficult for the plant to be treated effectively. Dark streaks usually form at the stems of the plants that have been infected during the mild stages of the disease. The reduction in the numbers of leaves in the ornaments is also a symptom that is usually witnessed during the mild stages of the disease. The symptoms are thus easy to notice and differentiate from the other diseases that affect the ornaments. This is also due to the distinct characteristics of the symptoms of the disease. A Root disorder is also a symptom of root rot in ornaments. In healthy ornaments, the white feeder rootlets are usually visible. However, this is not the case for the ornaments that have been infected with root rot. The feeder roots are usually absent in the ornaments that have been infected by root rot. The rots usually rot after the infection of the disease and they also appear to be marshy. This is also a distinguishing factor between the disease and other diseases that affects the ornaments. The disorder of the root is also responsible for the death of the plant. This is because it hinders the absorption of nutrients as well as the intake of water. The outer root tissues are usually easy to pull out among the ornaments that have been affected by the root rot. On the other hand the root core usually appears brownish or whitish and they resemble tiny pieces of threads. The small roots are more vulnerable to the attacks by the disease as compared to the older roots. However at an advanced stage of the disease, the all the rooting system is usually affected by the disease. Since the ornament has soft tissues and stem, the effects of the disease is usually visible on the stem. The symptoms of root rot are thus different from other disease. This is because it affects most parts of the plant leading to its death in the advanced stage of the disease (Bakonyi, 2011). Disease management The management of the disease plays an important role as treating the infected ornaments is a complex process at the advanced stage of the disease. The first measure that should be put in place whenever new ornaments are purchased is the close observation and isolation. This is for the purposes of ensuring that the disease is not if the newly purchased ornaments are infection. This is an important measure that plays an important role in the management of the disease. This also prevents the transmission of the disease from one location to the other. The plants from different sources should not be put together. This is because some of the plants could be infected and hence leading to the spread of the disease. Separating the plants from different sources also ensures an easy detection of the source of the infection. Sharing of the recycled water during the irrigation should also be discouraged incase of an outbreak of the disease. This is for the purposes of protecting the plants that have not been infected. All the plants that are infected should also be destroyed for the purposes of containing the spread of the disease in ornaments. This should also be applied to the shipment of plants that have been found to be infected. Destroying all the infected plants before they are mingled with the other plants is an important measure and should be carried out immediately. Although the destruction of all the infected plants may be difficult, it is highly advisable (Orlikowski, et al, 2013). During the planting period, it is also important to ensure that measures are put in place to prevent the spread of the disease. This is because poor drainage encourages the growth and development of the fungus. Areas that previously experienced the outbreak of the disease should also be fumigated before new ornaments are planted. This is because the fungus could still be active in the spoil and hence infecting the new plants. Temperatures of ten degrees Celsius are also advisable during the planting period. Aeration time should also be allowed on the soil after the preparation period. This is for the purposes of ensuring that the soil has the correct moisture content that will discourage the development of the fungus and hence resulting to the disease (Moorman, 2010). The time of carrying out irrigation using the overhead method should also be an important consideration. This practice should be avoided late in the afternoon. This is because the evaporation rate is low at the time and it increases the water and moisture content in the soil which is favorable for the development of the fungus causing the disease. Runoff water not be used for the purposes of irrigation as it may contain the fungus and hence infecting the plants. Prevention of the disease is thus the main consideration for the purposes of avoiding the spread of the disease as treating the infected plants is a complex process. The measures that need to be put in place is mainly dependant on the soil as the fungus is usually found in the soil (Moralejo, 2009). The containers that are used when handling the ornaments should also be pasteurized to avoid the chances of infection. This is should be a precautionary measure when there is an outbreak of the disease. All the containers should also be cleaned thoroughly to prevent the chances of transmission. Overwatering of the ornaments should be avoided at all costs. This is because overwatering the plants causes soil logging which may in turn lead to the development of the fungus that cause root rot in ornaments. The water requirement of the ornaments should therefore be considered during the watering process. Underwatering should also be avoided when watering the ornaments. Underwatering ornaments are also at risk of being attacked by the disease. However it is also important to note that the plants should not be drought stressed (Bakys, 2011). The plants that are drought stressed develop low resistance to the disease during the outbreak. This may also result to the death of the plants. The planting depth is also an important consideration for the purposes of preventing the spread of the disease. It is thus advisable to plant the ornaments to a depth of two and a half centimeters. The development of the fungus is dependant on the depth of the soil which also determines its temperatures. Caution should thus be taken when planting the ornaments. The final planting site of the plants should also be well drained so as to prevent the incidences of the outbreak of the disease. The spread of root rot in ornaments is also a factor that is associated with unfavorable conditions that the plant id exposed to. This leads to the growth and development of the fungus and hence its attack on the ornaments. The prevention measures also lies with the change in which the plant is exposed to. The changes should be aimed at ensuring that vigor of the plant is increased. Proper planting techniques should also be put in place for the purposes of preventing the spread of the disease. Grading of the surface should also be done for the purposes of preventing the spread of the disease. The grading is for the purposes of improving the drainage and preventing water logging which provides a favorable condition for the growth and development of the fungus causing the disease (Pecknold, 2013). The underground drains should also be installed for the purposes of ensuring that the underground water has been drained. This is usually practical in areas where the water table is high and it reaches the root level. This in turn provides unfavorable condition for the plant and a favorable condition for the growth and development of the fungus causing the disease. However, the installation of the drains will involve the experts due to the technicalities that are involved. Drainage holes may also be drilled for the purposes of draining out the underground water in areas where the water table is high. Planting holes with drains can also be used for the purposes of ensuring that the disease is prevented (Naher, et al, 2011). The chemical control of the fungus that causes the root rot is also among the measures that are used for the purposes of combating the disease. However, it is important to note that the infected plants in the advanced stage cannot be treated. The chemical are usually applied after the removal of the plants that are suffering from severe conditions. This is for the purposes of ensuring that the continuous spread of the disease is controlled. Fungicides are among the chemical that are used for the purposes of controlling the spread of spread f the disease. The fungicides usually kill the fungus and thus preventing the disease from spreading. The fungicide can also be used to fumigate the area that had previously been affected by the disease and hence paving way for the plantation of the new plants (Benson, 2011). However, it is also important to note that this method of controlling the disease is not advisable due to the effects that it may have on the soil. On the other hand, this method cannot be used to achieve the treatment of the plants. Calcinated clay particles can be used for the purposes of improving the drainage of the soil during the planting process. This is a control measure that is commonly used. On the other hand, it is also important use the organic manure materials for the purposes of improving the aeration and drainage of the soil. These methods mainly focus on the prevention of the disease as opposed to treatment of the infected plants. The selection of chemical to be used for the purposes of controlling the fungus that causes root rot is important because the fungus have developed resistance to the chemicals due to the continuous use. The level of resistance varies from one chemical to the other and hence reason as to why chemical s are not popular in the control of root rot in ornaments (El-Morsy, 2011). Biological agents are also used for the purposes of controlling root rot in ornaments. This is usually used in combination of chemicals. However, it is important that the instructions of using the chemical should be followed carefully. The experts should be consulted before using the chemicals for the purposes of controlling the spread of the disease. The toxic contents of the fungicides are usually high and hence the need of being cautious when using it. It has effects on human and it requires protective clothing and equipment when using it. The physical control of the disease involves uprooting the infected plants in order to avoid the continuous spread of the disease. This method is also not effective as the fungus that causes the disease thrives in the soil. This may lead to uprooting all the plants before fumigation is carried out to kill the fungus causing the disease. The focus on the prevention of the disease is important for the purposes of ensuring that the disease does not occur at all (Robin, et al, 2012). This is considered as the most effective method of managing the root rot in ornaments. Summary The management of the disease is the preferred control method of root rot in ornaments. It is evident that various measures can be used for the purposes of controlling the disease in ornaments. Improving the soil conditions is the main method that is used in the control of the disease. This is because the spread of the disease is mainly based in the ensuring that the spread pattern is hindered. Improving on the planting practices is also a method that is used for the purposes of controlling the disease. Proper drainage of the soil is also important for the purposes of preventing the occurrence of the disease. It is also evident that the equipment that are used for the purposes of handling the ornaments can also lead to the transfer of the diseases. On the other hand it is also evident that the transfer of the disease from one location to the other can occur when the ornaments are purchased from different locations. This is can however be prevented through the isolation of the newly purchased ornaments and monitoring it for a period of time. The chemical control of the disease is also applicable in the control of the disease. However, this method is not advisable as it is not effective in the treatment of the plants that have been infected. The chemical method is also used to fumigate the areas that previously experience the disease before new ornaments are planted. It is also important to involve the experts before using the chemicals due to its adverse effects on humans. Conclusion In conclusion, the root rot in ornaments causes serious problems as the plants that have been affected cannot be treated. Some of the symptoms of the disease is similar to that of other diseases. The stunted growth is one of the main symptoms of the disease and it is responsible for the lack of development of the plants. However, the rotting of the roots is the unique symptom that is portrayed in the plants that have been infected. This is also the reason as to why the disease is referred to as root rot. It is also evident that the disease is quite destructive to the ornaments as the chances of survival of the infected crops are quite low. This also affects the treatment process of the disease. The destruction of the rooting system by the disease is also one of the factors that causes the death of the plant. The causative agent of the disease is fungus from the phytopthora family. The fungus also spreads quickly when the soil is mostly and hence its difficulties in controlling it in the rainy season. References Bakys, R. (2011). Root rot, associated fungi and their impact on health condition of declining Fraxinus excelsior stands in Lithuania. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 26(2), 128-135 Benson, D. (2013). Host Specificity and Variations in Aggressiveness of North Carolina Isolates of Phytophthora cryptogea and P. drechsleri in Greenhouse Ornamental Plants. Plant Disease, 97(1), 74-80. Cao, C. et al. (2010). 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