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2023–2024 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Phytophthora Foot Rot, Crown Rot, and Root Rot

Megan M. Dewdney and Evan G. Johnson

Foot rot results from scion infection near the ground level, producing bark lesions that extend down to the bud union on tolerant rootstocks. Crown rot results from bark infection below the soil line when susceptible rootstocks are used. Root rot occurs when the cortex of fibrous roots is infected, turns soft, and appears water-soaked. Fibrous roots slough off their cortex, leaving only a white thread-like stele (inner tissue of the fibrous root). Foot rot, crown rot, and root rot can be caused by Phytophthora nicotianae or P. palmivora. When managing phytophthora-induced diseases, integration of chemical control methods and cultural practices (e.g., disease exclusion with phytophthora-free planting stock, tolerant rootstocks, proper irrigation practices [see chapter 12, Irrigation Management of Citrus Trees]) is necessary. Phytophthora management with chemical control should not be considered until other potential causes of decline in tree production are evaluated and corrected. See also chapters on BlightHuanglongbing (Citrus Greening), and Nematodes. The decision to treat should follow soil sampling to determine how much phytophthora is present in the soil. Details are given below.

Cultural Practices to Manage P. nicotianae

Field locations not previously planted with citrus are probably free of citrus-specific P. nicotianae. Planting stock should be free from Phytophthora spp. in the nursery, and inspection for fibrous root rot in the nursery or grove before planting is advised. If uncertain, testing of nursery stock for Phytophthora spp. is recommended. In groves with a previous history of foot rot, consider use of Swingle citrumelo or other tolerant rootstocks (see Florida Citrus Rootstock Selection Guide) for replanting. Tolerance to Phytophthora spp. can be compromised when planted in unfavorable soils for the rootstock (e.g., Swingle citrumelo in calcareous soils). Rootstocks tolerant to foot and root rot normally do not support damaging populations once trees are established. Cleopatra mandarin should be used with caution because it is prone to develop crown and foot rot when roots are infected in the nursery or when trees are planted in flatwoods situations with high or fluctuating water tables and fine-textured soils. When resetting, never use Cleopatra mandarin in a grove with a history of damaging phytophthora, regardless of region. Plant trees with the bud union more than 6 inches above the soil line and provide adequate soil drainage. Overwatering, especially of young trees, promotes buildup of phytophthora populations in the soil and increases risk of foot rot infection. Prolonged wetting of the trunk, especially if tree wraps are used on young trees, should be avoided by using early to midday irrigation schedules. Control of fire ants prevents their nesting under trunk wraps and feeding damage to moist, tender bark, which is then susceptible to infection.

Sampling for Phytophthora Spp.

Determine population densities of the fungus-like organism in grove soils to assist decisions of whether to treat with fungicides. Collect soil samples containing fibrous roots from March to November from under the canopy within the irrigated zones. When sampling trees of average canopy condition, combine individual small amounts from the top ten inches of soil from 20 to 40 locations in the microsprinkler zones within a 10-acre block into one resealable plastic bag to retain soil moisture. Samples must be kept cool but not refrigerated for transport to an analytical laboratory. Currently, populations in excess of 10 to 20 propagules per cm3 soil of total Phytophthora spp(P. nicotianae + P. palmivora) are considered damaging. The same soil sample should be tested for populations of nematodes to assess whether they occur at damaging levels.

Chemical Control

Use of fungicides in young groves should be based on rootstock susceptibility, likelihood of Phytophthora spp. infestation in the nursery, and history of phytophthora disease problems in the grove. For susceptible rootstocks, such as Cleopatra mandarin and sweet orange, fungicides may be applied to young trees for foot rot on a preventive basis. For young trees on other rootstocks, fungicide treatments should commence when foot rot lesions develop. The fungicide program for foot rot should be continued for at least one year for tolerant rootstocks but may continue beyond the first year for susceptible rootstocks. In mature groves, the decision to apply fungicides for root rot control is based on yearly soil sampling to determine whether damaging populations of P. nicotianae occur in successive growing seasons. Timing of applications should coincide with periods of susceptible root flushes after the spring leaf flush, usually from late spring to early summer and after the fall leaf flush in October to November. Soil application methods with fungicides should be targeted to irrigated areas under the canopy with the highest fibrous root density. To avoid leaching from the root zone, soil-applied fungicides should not be followed by excessive irrigation. Aliette, phosphite salts, Ridomil Gold, or Presidio are effective, but alternation of the materials should be practiced to minimize the risk of the development of fungicide resistance. It is recommended to alternate the soil-applied Ridomil and Presidio on the major spring and fall root flushes as well as to continue to apply Aliette or phosphite salts on a calendar schedule per the label.

Larval Feeding Injury to Citrus Roots and Its Relationship to Invasion by Phytophthora Spp.

Association of phytophthora root rot with root damage by larvae of Diaprepes abbreviatus has been called the Phytophthora-Diaprepes (PD) complex (see chapter 27, Citrus Root Weevils, or the Diaprepes Root Weevil Task Force website). A far more severe interaction has been identified between P. palmivora and Diaprepes root weevil than for P. nicotianae. The damage caused by P. palmivora is often associated with poorly drained, fine-textured soils and rootstocks like Swingle citrumelo and Carrizo citrange that are normally tolerant of P. nicotianae. In the more severe form, structural roots collapse from what appears to be moderate larval damage followed by aggressive spread of P. palmivora through the structural roots.

Rootstock susceptibility to damage by the PD complex depends on which Phytophthora sp. is present and whether the soil and water conditions are conducive to the fungus-like organism or to rootstock stress. In most situations, P. nicotianae is the predominant pathogen, and Swingle citrumelo appears to perform acceptably as a replant in weevil-infested groves, provided soil conditions are suited for this rootstock (e.g., favorable pH and calcium carbonate status, sandy soil texture, well-drained, etc.). When P. palmivora is present in poorly drained soils high in clay, pH, or calcium carbonate, Diaprepes root weevils render normally tolerant Swingle citrumelo and Carrizo citrange susceptible to phytophthora root rot infection. Thus, tolerance of Swingle citrumelo is restricted to the Ridge and certain flatwoods soils. For further information about rootstock selection, refer to chapter 12, Rootstock and Scion Selection, and the Rootstock Selection Guide.

Management of the Phytophthora-Diaprepes Complex

Selection of tolerant rootstocks for replanting Diaprepes root weevil–affected groves is important for management of future losses. For existing trees, fungicides in conjunction with careful water and fertilizer management have been utilized to maintain tolerance to Diaprepes root weevil and phytophthora damage. Fertigation maximizes water and nutrient uptake efficiency by roots in well-drained soils. However, use of fertigation to regenerate roots is limited in poorly drained soils and high water tables typical in the flatwoods. In these situations, there may be increased reliance on fungicides to control root damage by Phytophthora spp.

Based on studies of the PD complex, aggressive control of Diaprepes root weevil larvae and adult stages should be implemented as soon as infestation is discovered to minimize the more severe phytophthora damage that follows larval feeding on roots. The IPM program may include carefully scheduled fertigation in well-drained soils to promote regeneration of fibrous roots after damage. In the flatwoods, IPM may include use of fungicides under the following conditions: (1) the soils are fine textured, poorly drained, high in pH, or calcareous, (2) the trees are on rootstocks susceptible to either or both Phytophthora spp., and (3) populations are above the damaging levels (10 to 20 propagules per cm3 soil). A key to assist growers making Phytophthora-Diaprepes management decisions is available at the Diaprepes Root Weevil Task Force website as well as the Citrus Rootstock Selection Guide.

Management of the Phytophthora-HLB Interaction

Management of phytophthora root rot is complicated by huanglongbing [HLB; see chapter 29, Huanglongbing (Citrus Greening)] because the causal bacterium infects all parts of the citrus tree, including the roots. HLB accelerates phytophthora infection and fibrous root damage. HLB predisposes roots to P. nicotianae infection apparently by increasing attraction of zoospores to roots, accelerating infection, and lowering resistance to root invasion. The spread of HLB has led to more frequent cases of damaging phytophthora populations. Most recently, there has been a multiyear cycling of phytophthora populations apparently associated with lower fibrous root density and bursts of root growth as trees continue to decline from HLB. This has heightened concern for the root health of HLB-affected trees and initiation of measures to reduce root stress, which includes Phytophthora spp., citrus nematodes, Diaprepes, and abiotic soil factors. While all of these factors need to be considered and assessed on a case-by-case basis depending on site and rootstock, specific factors must be considered when controlling phytophthora with high-incidence HLB.

Although HLB causes fibrous root dieback, it also increases new growth of fibrous roots. Similar to leaf flushing, new root growth is no longer as synchronized into flush events. This is important because phytophthora preferentially infects new root growth. Constant availability of new root growth is a likely cause of the rapid development of damaging phytophthora populations under favorable conditions. The cycles of root dieback and root flushing caused by HLB leads to large swings in phytophthora propagule counts in a grove. Preliminary data indicate that chemical management has reduced effectiveness for control of Phytophthora spp. and prevention of root loss. Therefore, it is important to monitor phytophthora propagule counts before major summer and fall root growth events. If a damaging population is developing, it is important to time chemical applications to protect those major root flushes.

Web addresses for links:

Diaprepes Root Weevil Task Force: https://crec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/diaprepes/

Citrus Rootstock Selection Guide: https://crec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/citrus_rootstock/

Irrigation Management of Citrus Trees chapter: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cg093

Group 4 fungicides (metalaxyl and mefenoxam) are not recommended for phytophthora control in citrus nurseries.

Recommended Chemical Controls

READ THE LABEL.

See Tables 1 and 2.

Rates for pesticides are given as the maximum amount required to treat mature citrus trees unless otherwise noted. To treat smaller trees with commercial application equipment including handguns, mix the per-acre rate for mature trees in 250 gallons of water. Calibrate and arrange nozzles to deliver thorough distribution, and treat as many acres as this volume of spray allows.

Table 1. 

Recommended chemical controls for phytophthora foot rot, crown rot and root rot—fosetyl AL and phosphite salts products.

Pesticide

FRAC MOA1

Rate2

Method of Application

Comments

Aliette WDG3,4

P 07

--

--

Protectant and curative systemic. Buffering to pH 6 or higher is recommended to avoid phytotoxicity when copper has been used prior to, with, or following Aliette. To prevent phytotoxicity, do not tank-mix Aliette with copper. Mixing with surfactants or foliar fertilizers is also discouraged.

Nonbearing

 

5 lb/100 gal

Foliar spray

 

2.5–5 lb/5 gal

Trunk paint or spray

Use higher rate when lesions are present. Apply 2 feet up the trunk if lesions are not present.

Up to 5 lb/acre

Microsprinkler

Adjust rate according to tree size.

Bearing

 

1 lb/100 gal

Foliar spray in 100–250 gal/acre.

Do not exceed 500 gal/acre.

Apply up to 4 times/year (e.g., March, May, July, and September) for fibrous root rot control.

5 lb/10 gal/acre

Aerial

Fly every middle. Do not apply in less than 10 gal/acre.

Phostrol

P 07

  

Protectant and curative systemic. Do not apply when trees are under water stress or high-temperature conditions.

Bearing or Nonbearing

 

4.5 pt/acre

Foliar spray

Apply up to 4 times/year (e.g., March, May, July, and September).

Bearing or Nonbearing

 

2–5 pt/5 gal

Trunk spray

Use higher rate when lesions are present. Apply 2 feet up the trunk if lesions are not present. Apply in May prior to summer rains and/or in the fall prior to wrapping trees for freeze protection.

ProPhyt

P 07

  

Protectant and curative systemic. Do not apply when trees are under water stress or high-temperature conditions.

Nonbearing

 

2 gal/100 gal

Drench

½ pt solution per seedling in 2 gallon pot; can be applied through microsprinkler.

Bearing

 

4 pt/acre

Foliar spray in 100–250 gal/acre.

Apply up to 3 times/year (e.g., March–April, May–June, and September–October) for fibrous root rot control.

Mode of action class for citrus pesticides from the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) 2022. Refer to chapter 4, Pesticide Resistance and Resistance Management, for more details.

2 Lower rates may be used on smaller trees. Do not use less than the minimum label rate.

3 For combinations of application methods, do not exceed 4 applications or 20 lb/acre/year.

4 Fungicide treatments control fibrous root rot on highly susceptible sweet orange rootstock, but are not effective against structural root rot and will not reverse tree decline.

Table 2. 

Recommended chemical controls for phytophthora foot rot and root rot—mefenoxam and copper products.

 

Pesticide

FRAC MOA1

Rate2

Method of Application

Comments

Ridomil Gold SL3,4

4

--

--

Protectant and curative systemic. Do not apply tank mixes of Ridomil and residual herbicides to trees less than 3 years old. Apply herbicide first, then wait 3–4 weeks to apply Ridomil. Minimum retreatment interval is 90 days.

Do not apply to bare roots.

Do not apply rates higher than 1 qt/ac to citrus resets or new plantings (less than 5 years old) to prevent potential phytotoxicity.

Do not make trunk gummosis sprays and soil applications to the same tree in the same cropping season.

Time applications to coincide with root flushes.

Nonbearing

 

1 qt/acre of treated soil surface

Surface spray on weed-free area, followed immediately by 0.5 to 1.0 inch of water.

Make first application at time of planting.

Make up to 2 additional applications per year at 3-month intervals for maximum control; in most cases a late-spring and late-summer application should be sufficient

  

½ pt/grove acre

Through irrigation injection.

  

Newly planted trees up to 6 months: 0.5 fl oz/20 trees

Trees > 6 months: 1.0–1.5 fl oz/20 trees

Individual Tree Treatment for Resets/New Plantings:

Mix desired amount of Ridomil Gold SL in a water solution.

Apply as a directed spray to individual trees (generally 8–12 fl oz/tree) around the base of the tree and outward to cover the fibrous root system.

Follow with sprinkler irrigation to move product into root zone.

Make first application at time of planting.

Make up to 2 additional applications per year at 3-month intervals for maximum control; in most cases a late-spring and late-summer application should be sufficient.

Bearing

 

1 pt/acre of treated soil surface if propagule counts are 10–20 propagules/cm3 soil.

1 qt/acre of treated soil surface if propagule counts are >20 propagules/cm3 soil.

Surface spray on weed-free area, followed immediately by 0.5 to 1.0 inch irrigation.

Begin applications during the spring root flush period.

Apply up to 3 times/year on 3-month intervals (late spring, summer, early fall).

½ pt/grove acre if propagule counts are 10–20 propagules/ cm3 soil.

1 pt/grove acre if propagule counts are >20 propagules/ cm3 soil.

Through irrigation injection.

 

1 qt/10 gal

Trunk spray for gummosis: Spray the trunks to thoroughly wet the cankers.

May be applied up to 3 times/year .

Ridomil Gold GR2

4

--

--

Do not apply Ridomil Gold GR and residual herbicides to trees less than 3 years old simultaneously. Apply herbicide first, then wait 4 weeks to apply Ridomil.

Do not apply more than 240 lb of apply Ridomil Gold GR/acre/year.

Time applications to coincide with root flushes.

Nonbearing

 

40–80 lb/acre of treated soil surface.

Apply as banded application under the canopy. For banded applications, use a band wide enough to cover the root system. If rain is not expected for 3 days, follow by 0.5–1.0 inch of irrigation.

Make first application at time of planting.

Make up to 2 additional applications per year at 3-month intervals for maximum control; in most cases a late-spring and late-summer application should be sufficient.

Bearing

 

40–80 lb/acre of treated soil surface.

Banded application under the canopy. If rain not expected for 3 days, follow by 0.5–1.0 inch of irrigation.

Begin applications during the spring rot flush period.

Apply up to 3 times/year on 3-month intervals (late spring, summer, early fall).

Ultra Flourish3,4

4

--

--

Protectant and curative systemic. Do not apply tank mixes of Ultra Flourish and residual herbicides to trees less than 3 years old. Apply herbicide first, then wait 3–4 weeks to apply Ultra Flourish.

Nonbearing

 

4 pt/acre of treated soil surface.

Surface spray on weed-free area, followed immediately by 0.5 inch irrigation or by microsprinkler in 0.1–0.3 inches of water.

Apply every 3 months for maximum control; in most cases a late-spring and late-summer application should be sufficient. No more than 4 pt/acre to prevent phytotoxicity on new trees.

 

1 pt/grove acre

Through irrigation injection.

Apply every 3 months for maximum control; in most cases a late-spring and late-summer application should be sufficient.

 

2–3 fl oz/100 gal

Soil drench; apply 5 gal of mix in water ring.

Apply every 3 months for maximum control; in most cases a late-spring and late-summer application should be sufficient.

Bearing

 

2 pt/acre of treated soil surface <20 propagules/cm3 soil.

4 pt/acre >20 propagules/cm3 soil.

Surface spray on weed-free area, followed immediately by 0.5 inch irrigation or micro-sprinkler in 0.1–0.3 inch of water.

Apply 3 times/year (late-spring, summer, early-fall).

 

1 pt/grove acre <20 propagules/cm3 soil.

2 pt/grove acre >20 propagules/cm3 soil.

Through irrigation injection

 
 

4 pt/10 gal

Trunk spray

Thoroughly wet the lesions. Apply up to 3 times/year.

Presidio

43

--

--

Do not apply more than one application per year.

Apply before disease development. Has a 30 day pre-harvest interval.

Nonbearing

 

4 fl oz/acre

Surface spray on weed-free area, followed immediately or microsprinkler in 0.5–1.0 inch of water plus flush time.

Minimum ground application volume 10 GPA.

 

3–4 fl oz/20 gal

Individual trees for resets or new plantings. Apply 10 fl oz evenly around root zone of each tree.

If rainfall does not occur within 24 hours post-application, irrigate with sufficient water to move product into root zone. Depending on soil type and root depth, this could require 0.5–1 inch of water.

Bearing

 

4 fl oz/acre

Surface spray on weed-free area, followed immediately or microsprinkler in 0.5–1.0 inch of water plus flush time.

Minimum ground application volume 10 GPA.

Copper—Wettable Powder

M 01

0.5 lb (metallic) Cu/1 gal water.

Trunk paint

Protectant. Apply in May prior to summer rains and/or in the fall prior to wrapping trees for freeze protection.

Copper—Count-N

M 01

1 qt in 3 qt water.

Trunk paint

Protectant. Do not apply to green bark; may cause gumming. Apply in May prior to summer rains and/or in the fall prior to wrapping trees for freeze protection.

1 Mode of action class for citrus pesticides from the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) 2022. Refer to chapter 4, Pesticide Resistance and Resistance Management, for more details.

2 Lower rates may be used on smaller trees. Do not use less than the minimum label rate.

Do not exceed the equivalent of 6 lb a.i./acre/year of mefenoxam-containing products.

Do not apply to bare roots or higher than 1 qt/acre of treated soil surface to citrus resets or trees less than 5 years old to avoid potential phytotoxicity.

Publication #PP-156

Release Date:August 16th, 2023

Related Experts

Dewdney, Megan M.

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

Johnson, Evan G.

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

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The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication do not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.

Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer's label.

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About this Publication

This document is PP-156, one of a series of the Plant Pathology Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date December 1999. Revised annually. Most recent revision June 2023. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Megan M. Dewdney, associate professor, and Evan G. Johnson, former research assistant scientist, Plant Pathology Department; UF/IFAS Citrus REC; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Contacts

  • Megan Dewdney