Diseases of Pansies and Their Control 3 Table 3

ALABAMA A&M AND AUBURN UNIVERSITIES Diseases of Pansies ANR-1214 and Their Control

Leaf Spot Diseases here are two common fungal Tleaf spot diseases that may damage pansies, Viola x wittrock- iana, in the landscape or green- house. Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Figure 2. Cercospora leaf spot on and Cercospora leaf spot, caused pansy Figure 5. Botrytis at 10X magnification by Cercospora violae, each causes severe damage to the overall appearance of pansy plantings and reduces the economic value of greenhouse crops. Both dis- eases require high relative humidity and moisture for their development and spread. Figure 6. Myrothecium crown rot Anthracnose can be a Figure 3. Small white spots of pow- with black fruiting bodies and white problem in landscape and green- dery mildew in early stages of develop- spore masses at 10X magnification house plantings throughout the ment on pansy leaves growing and production seasons, respectively. Symptoms first appear as pale white or cream- colored circular spots (one-eighth to one-fourth inch in diameter) on upper surfaces of leaves and occasionally on stems (Figure 1). Spots have thin dark brown or black borders. Often spotting is most severe on lower leaves Figure 7. Black roots typical of ARCHIVEFigure 4. Botrytis flower stem Thielaviopsis black root rot (Healthy blight with fungal growth plant on the right and diseased plant on the left) where humidity is highest. When conditions are humid or wet, tiny black specks may appear on the masses disperse the spores to surface of spots. These specks nearby healthy foliage. New spots develop into spore masses of the typically appear on the previously fungus. Splashing rain or irriga- healthy leaves and stems about 1 tion droplets falling onto spore Figure 1. Anthracnose leaf spots on week after infection. pansy www.aces.edu Table 1. Anthracnose and Leaf Spot Diseases Fungicides Rates Comments per gallon per 100 gallons azoxystrobin Heritage 50W —- 1 to 4 oz. Apply to foliage to runoff before symptoms are seen. Reapply chlorothalonil as needed every 7 to 14 days. Shorten interval and increase 3 Daconil Weather Stik —- 1 ⁄8 pt. rate when conditions favor disease development. Add a small 1 Daconil Ultrex —- 1.4 lb. amount of a spreader sticker or liquid detergent ( ⁄4 tsp. per Daconil 2787 4F 2 t. 2 pt. gallon) to improve coverage of foliage with wettable powder mancozeb (W) formulations. Fore 80W 1 T. 1.5 lb. thiophanate-methyl 3336 50W —- 12 to 16 oz. 3336 4.5F —- 10 to 20 fl. oz. Halt 50W 1 T. —- trifloxystrobin Compass 50W —- 2 to 4 oz.

Cercospora leaf spot occurs debris. When preparing to plant reduce their vigor and ultimately most frequently in landscape in the spring, bedding plant loca- speed up plant decline. Pansy cul- plantings in early to midspring. tions should be rotated so that tivars differ considerably in their Outbreaks of this disease also the same type of plants are not susceptibility to powdery mildew. develop in early fall on green- installed into the same areas Small discrete, faint white house flat- and pot-grown pan- every year. Greenhouses should patches that consist of numerous sies. Spots are approximately one- be thoroughly cleaned between threadlike hyphae and spores of fourth inch in diameter, circular, crops. All pansy debris should the causal fungus Sphaerotheca and dark charcoal gray with a be removed from the house. macularis appear on the petioles slightly raised feathery texture Benches, pots, tools, and floors and leaves (Figure 3). These (Figure 2). Lower leaves are often should be thoroughly cleaned patches increase in size until the severely spotted and usually fall of debris. In landscapes, irrigation entire leaf surface is covered by from the plants. Spores of the should be scheduled for the the white threadlike growth of the fungus, which are produced when morning so that the foliage will causal fungus. conditions are humid, are easily dry quickly. Bedding plants Typically, outbreaks of pow- moved to nearby healthy foliage should be located in landscape dery mildew on pansy become by wind currents and splashing areas with well-drained soil. noticeable shortly before the water droplets. New leaf spots Greenhouses should follow similar plants are replaced with summer appear about 1 week after spore practices regarding irrigation and annuals. As a result, protective dispersal and infection begin. drainage. Where large numbers of fungicide treatments are rarely Control of these leaf spot plants are involved, application needed to protect plantings of diseases involves (1) removal of of protective fungicide sprays is pansy from powdery mildew. severely spotted plants or leaves; often recommended. Label direc- Plantings should be periodically (2) modification of watering prac- tions should be followed carefully. inspected for disease symptoms. tices so that foliage does not See Table 1 for specific fungicides If the characteristic white colonies remain wet for prolonged labeled for the control of these are seen and the plants are periods; and (3) fungicide appli- diseases. young, then begin fungicide cations, which are needed in applications. See Table 2 for a list some situations. In landscapes or Powdery Mildew of fungicides cleared for the con- greenhouses, removal of infected Powdery mildew may occur trol of powdery mildew on pansy. plants is recommended.ARCHIVE If diseased in March and April in landscape The fungicides used to control plants are not removed, they will plantings of pansy. Fluctuating Cercospora leaf spot (Table 1) serve as a reservoir of inoculum temperatures typical of spring and will also control powdery mildew. for future disease spread. If pos- fall and high humidity are condi- The severity of powdery sible, fallen leaves should be tions favorable for disease devel- mildew varies considerably removed from the area. In the opment and spread. Although among cultivars of pansy. In field late fall, the areas where disease powdery mildew will not directly trials in Alabama, ‘Bingo Clear is present should be thoroughly kill pansy, severe infections may Azure,’ ‘Imperial Silver Blue,’ cleaned by removal of all pansy

2 Alabama Cooperative Extension System Table 2. Powdery Mildew Fungicides Rates Comments per gallon per 100 gallons azoxystrobin Heritage 50W —- Apply to foliage at first sign of disease. Reapply every 7 to 14 thiophanate-methyl days as needed. Shorten interval and increase rate when 3336 50W —- 12-16 oz. conditions favor disease. Add a small amount of a spreader 1 3336 4.5F —- 10-20 fl. oz. sticker or liquid detergent ( ⁄4 tsp. per gallon) to improve Halt 50W 1 T. —- coverage of foliage with wettable powder (W) formulations. parafinnic oil Sun Spray Ultra Fine Oil 1% v/v 1 gal. trifloxystrobin Compass 50W —- 2-4 oz.

‘Crown Orange,’ and ‘Imperial foliage by wind currents or under conditions of low humidity. Beaconfield’ developed extensive splashing water. When disease does occur, how- powdery mildew of the foliage. Disease control involves (1) ever, it is wise to remove the dis- Little if any damage was seen removing diseased plants; (2) eased plants and, if possible, on most of the remaining pansy reducing humidity and moisture; increase plant spacing to improve cultivars evaluated. and (3) in certain cases, applying air circulation. Planting pansies in protective fungicide treatments. In low wet areas should be avoided. Botrytis Blight a greenhouse, diseased plants Watering should be done midday should be removed. Production so that foliage will dry quickly. Botrytis blight, caused by the Applications of a protective fungi- fungus Botrytis cinerea, may be benches, pots, and tools should be thoroughly cleaned. For details cide are recommended only a problem in the landscape and where large plantings are in greenhouse production. on this clean-up process, see Extension publication ANR-753, involved. See Table 3 for fungi- Temperatures in the low 50s cides labeled for Botrytis control, to upper 70s combined with “Identification and Control of Botrytis Blight on Floral Crops and always follow label recom- prolonged periods of high mendations. humidity and frequent rain or and Woody Ornamentals.” Irriga- overhead irrigation favor disease tion should be applied at midday development. Flowers and so that foliage does not remain Myrothecium Crown Rot flower stems are especially sus- wet during night hours. Plants The fungus Myrothecium ror- ceptible to attack by Botrytis. should be spaced and fans should idum causes a crown (lower be adjusted so that relative stem) rot and a petiole rot of Botrytis blight causes brown humidity is kept as low as pos- spots or blotches on flowers and pansy. This disease is typically a sible. Heating cool air to tempera- problem in greenhouses; how- flower stems (Figure 4). When the tures of 75 degrees F or higher disease is severe and conditions ever, Myrothecium crown rot has and venting warm moist air will been observed occasionally in are wet, leaves and major stems help prevent continued develop- may become spotted, cankered, landscape plantings. Infection and ment of the fungus, especially damage occur under conditions and blighted. In some situations, when these practices are applied individual spots on leaves may of moderate temperatures and during evening hours. Protective moderate soil moisture. have a slight zonate pattern. fungicides are recommended in Severely damaged plants may col- many greenhouse situations when Symptoms begin as a brown lapse and die. When humidity is Botrytis blight has been detected. soft rot of the crown and possibly high, the fungus will form a dark See Table 3 for fungicides labeled the nearby leaf petioles (Figure to light gray webby growthARCHIVE on 6). When crown rot is severe, a for Botrytis control on pansy, and the surfaces of blighted leaves follow all label directions. rapid wilt and collapse of the and flowers. If examined closely, plant follow. Tiny white and the fungal growth may display a Botrytis blight on pansy in the black bodies (spore masses), just branchlike network with scat- landscape is a problem only barely visible as specks, usually tered, small light gray knots or when the weather is cloudy, mild, develop on the infected crowns clusters (Figure 5). Such knots or slightly cool with high (Figure 6). The white spore or clusters are groups of spores humidity and abundant moisture. masses are easily spread by that will be dispersed to nearby Botrytis does not readily spread splashing or flowing water. When

Diseases of Pansies and Their Control 3 Table 3. Botrytis Blight Fungicides Rates Comments per gallon per 100 gallons azoxystrobin Heritage 50W —- 4 to 8 oz. Apply to foliage and flower buds when disease is observed. chlorothalonil Reapply as needed every 7 to 14 days. Shorten interval and 3 Daconil Weather Stik —- 1 ⁄8 pt. increase rate when conditions favor disease. Add a small 1 Daconil Ultrex —- 1.4 lb. amount of a spreader sticker or liquid detergent ( ⁄4 tsp. per Daconil 2787 4F 2 t. 2 pt. gallon) to improve coverage with wettable powder (W) fenhexamid formulations. Decree 50W —- 1.0 to 1.5 lb. iprodione Chipco 26019 50W —- 1 to 2 lb. mancozeb Fore 80W 1 T. 1.5 lb. thiophanate-methyl 3336 50W —- 12 to 16 oz. 3336 4.5F —- 10 to 20 fl. oz. Halt 50W 1 T. —- trifloxystrobin Compass 50W —- 2 to 4 oz. infected plants are pulled, the often recommended when the dis- scape and greenhouse situations, shoots frequently separate from ease has been observed in the but greenhouse problems are the roots. Wounding from house or area. See Table 4. usually more common. Disease mechanical transplant machines In the landscape, disease development is usually favored has been shown to possibly control requires removal of the by alkaline soil or media (pH 6.5 increase disease susceptibility and damaged plants and all plant to 8.0), cool to moderate soil tem- incidence. debris. Also, pansies should not peratures (56 to 77 degrees F), Disease control in a green- be grown in the diseased area for and moderate to high levels of house situation requires disposal the next 1 to 2 years. Watering soil moisture. of all diseased plant material, practices should be adjusted so Symptoms initially appear as associated cell packs or pots, and that plants do not remain wet for black spots or bands on the nor- media. Trays, benches, and tools prolonged periods. Low wet areas mally white roots. Root tips are should be thoroughly cleaned and for plantings should be avoided. often infected and black in color disinfected before reuse. In many Fungicides are not generally rec- when spores of the fungus are greenhouse situations, it may be ommended in landscape areas present. In some situations, more practical, effective, and eco- unless the plantings are extensive. infected roots become brown and nomical to replace plug flats and cannot be distinguished from other flats rather than cleaning these Black Root Rot root rot diseases by visual inspec- items. Irrigation should be applied tion. (Most root rot diseases so as to insure that plants do not Black root rot is a disease require laboratory study for an remain wet for prolonged periods. caused by the soilborne fungus exact diagnosis. See Extension Protective fungicide treatments are Thielaviopsis basicola. The disease publication ANR-450, “Plant Diag- has been observed in both land- nostic Lab Services,” for details on Table 4. Myrothecium Leaf Blight and Collar Rot Fungicides Rates Comments perARCHIVE gallon per 100 gallons Chlorothalonil Apply to leaves, leaf petioles, and root collar, as well as to soil 3 Daconil Weather Stik —- 1 ⁄8 pt. around base of plant when symptoms are seen. Reapply as Daconil Ultrex —- 1.4 lb. needed every 7 to 14 days. Shorten interval and increase Daconil 2787 4F 2 t. 2 pt. rate when conditions favor disease. Add a small amount of a 1 spreader sticker or liquid detergent ( ⁄4 tsp. per gallon) to improve coverage of foliage with wettable powder (W) formulations. Trifloxystrobin Compass 50W —- 2 to 4 oz.

4 Alabama Cooperative Extension System submitting plant samples for labo- In the landscape, pansies with detected when there is lack of ratory testing.) As the disease black root rot should be identified integrity or firmness of the tissues. spreads throughout the root and removed quickly. Remove An easy way to check for decay system, the plant becomes increas- soil associated with roots along of small roots is to grasp the root ingly unthrifty, stunted, and some- with the infected plants and plant between the thumb and fore- times yellowed, similar to a debris. Soil pH levels should be finger and pull down gently. If the nitrogen deficiency. Wilt may or checked and adjusted at or root is decayed, the outer cortex may not occur, depending on the slightly below 6. Avoid planting of the root will easily slip away plant and the extent of root pansies in the same area for a 1- from the central root cylinder. damage. In many cases, stunting to 2-year period. Planting pansies Aged root decay becomes darker and yellowing of the foliage, in areas of good soil drainage and brown in color, similar to other beginning with the older foliage, providing them with appropriate root rot diseases. As root deterio- are the only aboveground symp- fertilization will help keep them ration progresses, foliage will toms. The entire root system on vigorous and less susceptible to begin to wilt and yellow, and severely infected plants may black root rot. plants will become stunted. become black and rotted (Figure 7). Dieback can also develop. Typically, these plants quickly Pythium Crown and Water movement can disperse wither and die. Black root rot usu- the fungus between infected ally is spread by movement of Root Rot and healthy plants. contaminated water, soil, or plants. Several species of the soil- Control of Pythium crown In greenhouses, control of borne fungus Pythium are and root rot in greenhouses black root rot involves removal common crown and root rot dis- requires removal of infected of infected plants and associated ease agents of pansy and other plants and associated potting media and pots. Benches, trays, greenhouse crops. Wet soil condi- material and pots. Benches, trays, and tools should be thoroughly tions for prolonged periods are and tools should be washed and washed and treated with a disin- required for this disease to treated with a greenhouse disin- fectant labeled for greenhouse develop. Plants previously fectant. For many greenhouse use. In many greenhouse situa- stressed by drought or applica- operations, it would be best to tions, purchase of new plug flats tions of excessive levels of fertil- replace plug flats and flats rather and flats would be easier, more izer are more susceptible to infec- than attempting to clean and dis- effective, and more economical tions by Pythium. infect these items. Watering prac- than attempts to disinfect these Pythium symptoms initially tices and potting media should be items. This fungus may be intro- appear as water-soaked, some- adjusted to prevent prolonged duced into greenhouses in peat- times sunken, lesions at the base periods of water-saturated media. based potting media. Avoid situa- of the stem near the soil line or Once Pythium is detected, protec- tions of moisture or fertilization on roots, especially young roots. tive fungicide drench treatments imbalances. Protectant fungicide Infected roots will be light brown are often recommended. See drench treatments are frequently in color, slightly darker than the Table 6 for fungicides labeled for recommended to prevent disease normal root coloration (Figure 8). control of Pythium on pansies. development. See Table 5 for In some situations, the color of fungicides labeled for control of decayed stem or root tissues is black root rot on pansy. Always hardly discernable from normal follow label directions. tissue color. Decay can be

Table 5. Thielaviopsis Black Root Rot Fungicides Rates Comments perARCHIVE gallon per 100 gallons Thiophanate-methyl 3336 50W —- 12 to 16 oz. Apply as a drench to the media or soil around base of plant 3336 4.5F —- 16 to 20 fl. oz. before symptoms are seen. Reapply, as needed every 1 to 2 months. Shorten interval and increase rate when conditions Thiophanate-methyl + favor disease. etridiazole Banrot 40W —- 4-8 oz. Triflumizole Terraguard 50W —- 2-4 oz.

Diseases of Pansies and Their Control 5 Phytophthora Aerial application is not usually recom- resemble Pythium crown and root mended in landscapes unless the rot. In some situations, Blight, Crown Rot, disease occurs on young plants in Phytophthora may cause a water- and Root Rot large plantings. Diseased plants soaked rotting of tissues that has The soilborne fungus should be removed as soon as a darker brown discoloration and Phytophthora nicotiana (formerly possible after discovery. Care is easier to visually detect than P. parasitica) can cause foliar should be taken to remove whole with Pythium. Pulling on the blight and crown and root rot of plants, including roots as well as outer cortex, as was described pansy. Wet conditions are neces- the associated soil. Removed earlier for Pythium crown and sary for this fungus to be active in plants should be placed in a bag root rot, can reveal tissue deterio- causing disease. In the case of at the location of removal to pre- ration. Confirmation of Phytoph- root rots, research has shown that vent contamination of other thora or Pythium crown and root drought or excessive applications plants in the bed. If possible, soil rot often requires laboratory of fertilizer will result in increased drainage in the area should be testing. As root and crown rot susceptibility to Phytophthora. improved. Irrigation practices progresses, foliage usually Both aboveground and below- should be modified to reduce the develops wilt and dieback. ground phases of the disease may time that foliage remains wet. Stunting and yellowing may also be present on landscape or When appropriate, the length of result from crown and root rot greenhouse pansies, but foliar dis- irrigation periods should also be caused by Phytophthora. ease is more prevalent on land- reduced so that soil does not Control of Phytophthora scape plants, while crown and become overly saturated for pro- crown and root rot in the land- root rot diseases are more longed periods. See Table 6, if scape or greenhouse is the same common on pansies in green- large plantings are involved and as for Pythium. See Table 6 for house production. protective fungicide use is fungicides labeled for control of Foliar blight or aerial blight desired. Unfortunately, recent Phytophthora crown and root rot. often develops at temperatures of testing has shown that none of Pythium and Phytophthora are 75 to 85 degrees F when humidity the fungicides currently available very similar fungi in many levels are high and foliar moisture provide 100 percent disease con- respects, and many fungicides is abundant. Reports indicate that trol under conditions favorable that are labeled for Pythium are this disease develops rapidly at for disease spread. also labeled for Phytophthora. temperatures of 82 degrees F and In a greenhouse situation, dis- higher. Leaves and stems on ease control requires removal of Rhizoctonia Foliar diseased plant material, taking infected plants develop water- Blight, Crown and soaked spots that are light brown care not to contaminate healthy in color. Spots are irregular in plants with diseased plant parts or Root Rot shape and spread quickly to potting media. Benches, trays, The fungus Rhizoctonia involve large areas of the plant. pots, and tools must be washed solani causes foliar blight and (Figure 9). When wet conditions thoroughly and treated with a crown and root rot diseases of occur, lesions girdle stems and greenhouse disinfectant before pansy. This fungus is not as com- foliage blight involves large por- reuse. For many greenhouse situ- monly seen as the fungi men- tions of the plant. Drier condi- ations, replacement of plug flats tioned previously, but it does tions typically slow disease and flats is recommended rather occasionally cause problems. spread. Death of plants usually than attempting to clean and dis- High humidity and moisture favor results from a combination of infect these items. Irrigation the foliar phase of the disease; dieback from girdled stems and schedules should be reviewed moderate soil moisture favors the spread of foliar leaf blight. and adjusted to reduce the pres- crown or root rot phase. Foliar Splashing water droplets easily ence of excess water. Fungicide blight appears as brown, some- spread the disease. SporesARCHIVE may applications will give some pro- what dried lesions on stems and also be carried to other plants by tection against disease spread. See as spreading brown lesions on water movement in the soil. Table 6 for fungicides labeled for leaves (Figure 10). Blight may Control of aerial blight in the control of Phytophthora foliage involve large portions of the landscape involves removal of blight in a greenhouse. leaves and stems. Girdled stems diseased plants and plant debris, The crown and root rot phase result in complete plant collapse. reduced or adjusted irrigation of Phytophthora, which may be When conditions are humid, a practices, and planting in areas caused by P. nicotiana or other fine fungal webbing may develop where soils drain well. Fungicide species, produces symptoms that and eventually cover portions of the blighted tissues.

6 Alabama Cooperative Extension System Table 6. Pythium Root and/or Collar (Crown) Rot; Phytophthora Aerial Blight and/or Root/Collar Rot Fungicides Rates Comments per gallon per 100 gallons etridiazole Truban 30W —- 4 to 6 oz Soil Drench: 100 gallons of fungicide mixture covers 800 Truban 25E —- 3 to 4 fl. oz. square feet of bench or bed area. Irrigate immediately and repeat at 1- to 2-month intervals. fosetyl-Al Aliette T/O —- 1.25 to 4 lb. Foliar Spray: Apply to wet foliage, using no more than 400 gallons of spray volume per acre treated. Repeat as needed at monthly intervals. menfenoxan Subdue Maxx —- 0.13 to 0.25 fl. oz. Drench at Seeding: 100 gallons of mixture covers 400 to 800 square feet of bench or bed area. Reapply after 1 to 2 months. —- 0.5 to 2.0 fl. oz. Drench at Transplanting: 100 gallons of mixture covers 400 to 800 square feet of bench or bed area. Reapply after 1 to 2 months. Subdue GR —- 1.6 to 8 oz. per Dry Soil Mix: Mix thoroughly and irrigate with enough cu yd of mix water to wet the root zone. propamocarb Banol 66S —- 30 fl. oz. Drench at Seeding and Transplanting: Apply 3 quarts of mixture to 10 square feet of bench or bed area. thiophanate-methyl + etridiazole Banrot 40W —- 4 to 8 oz. Soil Drench: 100 gallons of fungicide mixture covers 800 square feet of bench or bed area. Irrigate immediately and repeat at 1- to 2-month intervals. Banrot 8G —- 8 oz. per cu. Dry Soil Mix: Mix thoroughly. Reapply soil drench yd. of mix as needed.

Control of this disease in the As the disease progresses to large scale landscape plantings landscape requires removal of girdle the crown and involve when the disease develops early infected plants. Care should be more root area, aboveground in the season. See Table 7 for taken not to spread diseased parts of the plant become stunted fungicides labeled for control of plant material. If large plantings of and yellowed, exhibit dieback, Rhizoctonia crown and root rot. pansies are involved, protective and eventually wilt and collapse. Always follow label directions. fungicide spray treatments may In some situations, girdled crowns be appropriate. See Table 7 for may become brittle, and foliage available fungicides. Follow label may easily break off from the directions. roots at the decayed crown Disease control in the green- (Figure 10). This type of deterio- house is much the same as that ration at the crown may also be described for the landscape. caused by other crown rot Diseased areas, trays, and tools pathogens. should be sanitized by treating Disease control in the land- them with a greenhouse disinfec- scape and greenhouse requires tant. In many situations, it is rec- practices of plant removal, disin- ommended to replace plug flats fection, and tray replacement sim- and flats rather than attemptARCHIVE to ilar to methods described for the thoroughly disinfect these items. aerial phase of this disease. See Table 7 for labeled fungicides. Excess nitrogen should not be The crown and root rot phase applied because it favors disease of the disease develops as brown development. Fungicides should sunken lesions on lower stems be applied as protective drenches (crowns) and roots. Decay is in greenhouse plantings or in usually characterized as dry rot.

Diseases of Pansies and Their Control 7 Table 7. Rhizoctonia Aerial Blight and Root and Collar Rot Fungicides Rates Comments per gallon per 100 gallons azoxystrobin Heritage 50W —- 1 to 4 oz Heavy Spray/Drench at Transplanting: Apply enough water to wet foliage of target plant and media around base of plant. Reapply as needed. Use higher rate at shorter interval when conditions favor disease. iprodione Chipco 26019 50W —- 1 to 2 lb. Drench at Seeding or Transplanting: Apply 1 to 2 pints of fungicide suspension per square foot of bench or bed area. Reapply every 2 to 4 weeks as needed. thiophanate-methyl 3336 50W —- 12 to 16 oz. Apply as a drench to the media or soil around base of plant 3336 4.5F —- 16 to 20 fl. oz. before symptoms are seen. Reapply as needed every 1 to 2 months. Shorten interval and increase rate when conditions favor disease. thiophanate-methyl + etridiazole Banrot 40W —- 4 to 8 oz. trifloxystrobin Compass 50W —- 2 to 4 oz. triflumizole Terraguard 50W —- 2 to 4 oz.

Figure 10. Rhizoctonia crown rot (as well as crown rots caused by other Figure 8. Pythium crown and root Figure 9. Phytophthora foliage blight pathogens) may result in stem breakage. rot of pansy on pansy

Jackie Mullen, Extension Plant Pathologist and Diagnostician, and Austin Hagan, Extension Plant Pathologist and Professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology, both at Auburn University Use pesticides only according to the directions on the label. Follow all directions, precautions, and restrictions that are ARCHIVElisted. Do not use pesticides on plants that are not listed on the label. The pesticide rates in this publication are recommended only if they are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. If a registration is changed or cancelled, the rate listed here is no longer recommended. Before you apply any pesticide, check with your county Extension agent for the latest information. Trade names are used only to give specific information. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System does not endorse or guarantee any product and does not recommend one product instead of another that might be similar. For more information, call your county Extension office. Look in your telephone directory under your county’s name to find the number. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. ANR-1214 UPS, 6M41, New Sept 2001, ANR-1214