Lentil Disease Diagnostic Series: Fusarium Root Rot

Authors: KALIL, AUDREY - North Dakota State University; Porter, Lyndon

Submitted to: Extension Reports
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/8/2019
Publication Date: 2/1/2019
Citation: Kalil, A., Porter, L.D. 2019. Lentil Disease Diagnostic Series: Fusarium Root Rot. Extension Reports. PP1913.

Interpretive Summary: A short and concise disease diagnostic card was developed to help growers rapidly diagnose Fusarium root rot on lentil through descriptions and color photographs of symptoms commonly associated with the disease. The card also provides important factors that favor disease, facts regarding how to manage the disease, and describes a diseases that could potentially be mistaken for Fusarium root rot.

Technical Abstract: Fusarium root rot caused by Fusarium avenaceum, F. acuminatum and other Fusarium species is a major disease of lentil. The following symptoms typically are associated with Fusarium root rot: 1) brown to reddish brown lesions on below ground stem and roots, 2) premature death or wilting under dry soil conditions due to severe root rot, 3) poor emergence, and 4) stunting and yellowing progressing from the lower canopy upwards. Factors favoring disease development include: 1) soil compaction and plant stress, 2) warm, moist soil ranging from 68 to 82 F, and 3) short rotations. Important facts about Fusarium root rot are: 1) alternative hosts include alfalfa, barley, canola, field pea, oat and wheat, 2) often occurs in complex with other root diseases, 3) seed treatments are only effective for early season symptoms and 4) the disease is often confused with Aphanomyces or Rhizoctonia root rot, waterlogging or drought stress.