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Research Project: Sustainable Production and Pest Management Practices for Nursery, Greenhouse, and Protected Culture Crops

Location: Application Technology Research

Title: Diagnostic guide for Pythium root rot in hydroponic leafy green and herb production

Author
item AMRHEIN, JOSH - The Ohio State University
item ROTONDO, FRANCESCA - The Ohio State University
item KUBOTA, CHIERI - The Ohio State University
item MILLER, SALLY - The Ohio State University
item Testen, Anna

Submitted to: Plant Health Progress
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/19/2024
Publication Date: 3/24/2025
Citation: Amrhein, J.J., Rotondo, F., Kubota, C., Miller, S.A., Testen, A.L. 2025. Diagnostic guide for Pythium root rot in hydroponic leafy green and herb production. Plant Health Progress. 26(1):87-95. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-07-24-0070-DG.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-07-24-0070-DG

Interpretive Summary: Pythium root rot is the most common, yield limiting disease in hydroponic production of leafy greens and herbs. Diagnosing this disease can be difficult, so this diagnostic guide was prepared to teach growers and plant health practitioners how to diagnose Pythium root rot and work with Pythium pathogens. This will help improve fast accurate diagnosis of Pythium root rot in hydroponic production, leading to faster applications of disease management tactics to reduce yield lost to disease.

Technical Abstract: Pythium root rot is a ubiquitous disease of leafy greens and herbs in hydroponic systems. This disease is caused by multiple species of Pythium with P. aphanidermatum, P. dissotocum, P. myriotylum, and P. oopapillum most reported. This diagnostic guide is intended to inform growers and plant health professionals of the causal agent, host range, distribution, diagnostic approaches, and signs and symptoms of Pythium root rot in hydroponic systems.