Summer Root Rot in Parsley

This report addresses recent industry concerns over the development of summer root rot in parsley.

Previous work on parsley root rot conducted by the Victorian DPI has identified a number of causal agents and has reviewed potential management options.

The most significant root rots of parsley in Victoria were encountered during winter, and summer root rots were considered to potentially not warrant management.

Recently however, severe summer root rots of parsley have been reported with crop losses of up to 100%.

This project aims to review relevant literature on root rot of parsley and meet with growers affected by the recent outbreaks in order to determine an approach to address the issue.

Key Outcomes and Conclusions

• Previous investigations into root rots in parsley crops have largely focused on winter root rots caused by Pythium spp. and Phytophthora spp. and not summer root rots.
• Incidences of summer root rots are extremely variable, growers do not know when they will lose a crop to summer root rot.
• Crop losses of up to 90% or greater can occur when a crop succumbs to summer root rot.
• Summer root rots generally occur after a period of increased irrigation applications or a significant rainfall event.
• Fusarium was identified as the only common root rot pathogen identified in all three plant and soil samples, which underwent plant pathology assessment.
• Much can be done to further investigate both the cause of summer rot rots of parsley as well as how previous research can be re-visited in order to develop some sustainable practices to manage the disease.

See Also :

Liz Minchinton – Research Overview – (this website)

Acknowledgements :

This project has been funded by HAL using the vegetable industry levy and matched funds from the Australian Government.

The authors would like to acknowledge Craig Arnott, Phil Cochrane and Dino Boratto for supplying parsley and soil samples for laboratory assessment, Elizabeth Minchinton for supplying additional contributions to the preparation of this report above the information contained in published reports and Len Tesoriero for providing plant pathology diagnosis of the plant and soil samples provided.

Disclaimer :

Any recommendations contained in this publication do not necessarily represent current HAL policy. No person should act on the basis of the contents of this publication, whether as to matters of fact or opinion or other content, without first obtaining specific, independent professional advice in respect of the matters set out in this publication.