T is for Thielaviopsis root rot on ornamentals

Mary Hausbeck<hausbec1@msu.edu>, Blair Harlan and Sheila Linderman, Michigan State University, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences - May 03, 2017

Know the ABCs of ornamental greenhouse diseases, including Thielaviopsis black root rot.

Photo 1. Stunting, yellowing and death of pansy seedlings in a plug flat infected with Thielaviopsis. All images courtesy of Mary Hausbeck, MSU.

While root rots caused by Pythium and Rhizoctonia commonly occur among greenhouse ornamentals, black root rot is an important and serious threat to pansies (Photo 1), petunias (Photo 2) and vinca. Black root rot is caused by the fungus Thielaviopsis (Photo 3), and may also infect cyclamen, calibrachoa (Photo 4), poinsettia, primula, impatiens, snapdragon, verbena, phlox, begonia and nicotiana. Other ornamentals may also be susceptible.

Symptoms of Thielaviopsis black root rot are often mistaken for nutrient deficiencies. Plants with black root rot often show symptoms that mimic nutrient deficiencies such as stunting with older leaves shriveling. Leaves may turn yellow and the youngest leaves become stunted and tinged with red. In mild infections, older leaves are yellow-green with the veins retaining their green color. Black root rot may also affect the lower stem on crops such as poinsettia, causing cracks that appear black.

Purchasing plugs that are free of black root rot and using stringent sanitation practices are the best preventive measures against black root rot. This pathogen produces a spore (Photo 3) that can persist on floor mats, greenhouse benches, or flats and pots. Michigan State University Extension does not recommend reusing plug trays for crops that are susceptible to Thielaviopsis. University studies have shown that fungus gnats and shore flies can move this pathogen around a greenhouse by eating the spores and excreting them into nearby pots.

If you have a Thielaviopsis problem and a fungus gnat problem, then you will have an increasing problem. Once this fungus is established in a crop or in a greenhouse, an effective clean-up and fungicide program is needed. Fungicides applied preventively may also be needed to protect the ornamentals that are particularly susceptible to the pathogen.

Healthy vs infected petunia plugs

Photo 2. Healthy (left) versus infected (right) roots of petunia plugs.

Thielaviopsis spores

Photo 3. Thielaviopsis spores on infected roots.

Calibrachoa infected with Thielaviopsis

Photo 4. Yellowing of foliage of calibrachoa infected with Thielaviopsis.

The “A” and “B” Team tables of recommended fungicides for Thielaviopsis of ornamentals are the result of multiple trials conducted at MSU. The FRAC code is an alphanumeric code assigned by the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee and is based on the mode of action of the active ingredient. When treating ornamentals for Thielaviopsis root rot, rotate among products with different FRAC codes to reduce the possibility of resistance developing in the Thielaviopsis fungus. Ornamental products listed in the A Team table consistently provide effective control. B Team products are a good rotational choice for use with A Team fungicides when disease pressure is not severe.

Based on these studies, ornamental fungicides that have thiophanate-methyl as the primary active ingredient (see table below) should be used frequently according to the shortest reapplication interval listed on the label. Good rotational products include Terraguard and Emblem or Medallion since they have a different mode of action and were shown to be effective in MSU studies against black root rot. B Team ornamental products are a good rotational choice when the disease pressure is not severe and should be used in rotation with A Team products.

Choosing an effective fungicide to control black root rot on ornamentals is critical because a misstep early in the disease epidemic may result in an unsalable crop. If the disease has progressed too far before fungicides are applied, it is likely the plant will not recover and be marketable. It is recommended to use the highest labeled rate of each treatment with close reapplication intervals. Variable results have been observed with Empress Intrinsic, so care must be taken when using it in a rotational fungicide program to ensure that disease control is maintained.

*Thielaviopsis* A Team* (ornamental recommendations only)
Product	Active ingredient	FRAC code
Cleary’s 3336 WP/OHP 6672 FL	thiophanate-methyl	1
Emblem, Medallion WG	fludioxonil	12
Terraguard	triflumizole	3

*Use high labeled rates.

*Thielaviopsis* B Team (ornamental recommendations only)
Product	Active ingredient	FRAC code
Affirm WDG	polyoxin D zinc salt	19
Orkestra	fluxapyroxad/pyroclostrobin	7/11
Trinity	triticonazole	3
Empress Intrinsic*	pyraclostrobin	11

*Variable results observed.

Learn more about the ABCs of ornamental greenhouse diseases

Acknowledgments. This material is based upon work supported by Cooperative Agreement 58-8062-5-036 with USDA ARS under the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative.

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Dr. Hausbeck’s work is funded in part by MSU‘s AgBioResearch.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).