Root dieback (Pythium debaryanum, P. aphanidermatum)

Symptoms

• Characteristic symptoms are brown rot and forking
• Root dieback of carrots produces excessively branched or stubbed roots
• Fungus kills young tap roots after seed germination, reducing root length and/or stimulating forking
• Forking and stubbing occur, but these symptoms can also be caused by soil compaction, nematodes

Management

• Avoiding excessive watering
• By providing good field drainage
• Planting carrots in deep, friable and well drained soils