Excess telluric water

• Symptoms  :
  • root browning and rotting, decaying cortex (Figures 1);
  • sometimes more or less marked browning of the vessels located in the pivot and the lower part of the stem (figure 2);
  • more or less rapid wilting (figure 3), yellowing (figures 4 to 6), even necrosis of leaflets and / or lower leaves of plants;
  • reduced plant growth.

• Cause(s)  :
  • poor irrigation management;
  • heavy and hydromorphic soil or poorly draining substrate;
  • accumulation of water in poorly drained areas;
  • heavy rains or ruptured irrigation pipes, due to the deficiency of solenoid valves;
  • more or less significant submersion of culture, etc.

• Diagnostic clues :
  • the affected plants are often distributed over the whole plot, or in certain areas or in certain rows;
  • the plot is poorly drained, the soil is rather heavy;
  • the soil or the substrate seem rather saturated with water (do not hesitate to see it for yourself);
  • control the quality of plant irrigation (mode, frequency, efficiency);
  • monitor recent climatology (significant rainfall).

• Possible confusion : microorganisms and root parasitic pests, etc.

• Remedies  :
  • drain the soil;
  • beware of certain rather asphyxiating substrates;
  • rectify the frequency and quantities of water supplied at each irrigation;
  • butter the plants so that they can produce new roots (option valid only for species with significant root regeneration capacities).