Crown and foot rot (Fusarium spp. )

Crown and foot rot: biology

Fungus over winter as spores in soil and crop residues. The pathogens can also be carried on or in the seed. Infection on the crown and root tissues can occur throughout the growing season.

Crown and foot rot: damage description

Brown lesions appear at the base of the plant (crown) and on the roots.

Fusarium spp. infecting the crown and roots are most damaging early in the season and can cause seedling death. In most cases infection is restricted to the crown and roots, however older leaf tissue can also be infected.

Crown and foot rot: management

Use of healthy seeds and seed treatments will decrease the infection of the disease. However, seed treatments do not give season long control. Crop rotations that include non-host crops (canola, flax, legumes) will decrease the population of spores in the soil.