Damping off is a common fungal disease that affects seedlings, causing them to rot and die. It's particularly prevalent in wet and cool conditions, and can be a real nuisance for gardeners. While it can affect a wide variety of plants, it's most commonly seen in tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and eggplants.
- Type of Infestation: Disease
- Common Name: Damping Off
- Causal Organism: Pythium debaryanum
- Affected Parts Of the plant: Stem, Root
Environmental favorable factors for pests/Diseases:
Temperature:
- Pythium: Often thrives in cooler temperatures, between 18°C - 24°C (64°F - 75°F).
- Rhizoctonia: Can be active across a wider temperature range, from 15°C - 30°C (59°F - 86°F).
Humidity:
- High humidity: Generally, above 70% relative humidity is considered favorable for damping off fungi.
- Poor air circulation: This further traps moisture around seedlings, creating a more favorable environment for fungal growth.
Symptoms of Pest/Disease:
- Seedlings fail to germinate or emerge from the soil.
- Seedlings that do emerge become thin and weak.
- Stems become soft and mushy, often with a brown or black discoloration.
- Seedlings wilt and collapse at the soil line.
- You may see white fungal growth around the base of the stem.
Measures to control Pests/Diseases:
| Products | Technical Names | Dosages |
| SAMARTHA | Carbendazim 12 % + Mancozeb 63 % WP | 300-400 grams per acre |
| TYSON | Trichoderma Viride Bio Fungicide Powder | 1 – 2KG |
| COC 50 | Copper oxychloride 50 % wp | 2gm/ltr |
