Root Rot - Causes and Solutions
Posted on: 24 October 2016
If you're into growing crops hydroponically, you may find that your system is attacked by root rot (Pythium) from time to time. But what causes root rot and how can you get rid of it?
What is root rot?
Root rot is a fungal disease that thrives in wet ground, attacking the root systems of plants and killing them. The fungus' preference for wet conditions is what makes your hydroponic growing system particularly vulnerable to attack.
The fungus is very fast acting. The first signs of trouble that you will notice are that your previously healthy plants will cease to thrive. Leaves will become wilted, and previously healthy, white roots rapidly will begin to turn brown or grey in colour. The roots then quickly lose their rigidity and become slimy and squashy in texture, until they finally disintegrate altogether, quickly killing the plants. The root rot fungal spores can also live on decaying matter. This means that they will happily feed on the dead plant roots and will then spread readily throughout your system until all your plants are affected.
How can root rot be controlled?
Although root rot is notoriously difficult to eradicate completely, you can take steps to control and manage it. One effective way of doing this is by introducing a proprietary colony of microscopic living organisms and beneficial fungi that will effectively crowd-out the root rot fungi by establishing large colonies. You can do this simply by adding a ready-formulated bio-product to the water in your system.
You can also obtain nutrient conditioner products that will eliminate all the pathogens, bacteria and fungi in the water, effectively sterilising the system. Your pump will circulate the non-toxic product right around your system throughout the growing season.
Warm water contains less dissolved oxygen, providing the perfect environment for Pythium to grow and thrive in. By cooling your water to a temperature of less than 20 degrees Celsius you can discourage the growth of root rot fungus and keep your hydroponics system healthy. The best way to achieve this is by introducing a simple water chiller into your system.
You can keep your hydroponics system in good health and discourage the proliferation of root root by following the above tips. For more information and to obtain everything you need for your system, talk with someone at a hydroponic store. They should be able to help you incorporate each of the solutions discussed here.
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