Fungal
Fusarium Crown and Root Rot
A soil-borne fungal disease that rots the crown and roots of asparagus and other crops, causing progressive dieback of ferns and eventual loss of the planting.
Symptoms to Look For
- Ferns or shoots wilting and dying from the tips downward
- Crown and upper roots turning reddish-brown and rotting when dug up
- Thin, pale, weakened spears emerging from an infected crown
Affected Plants
AsparagusStrawberryBeanPepperTomato
Organic Solutions
Improve drainage
Install drainage channels or raise beds to prevent waterlogging around crowns - saturated soil is the primary predisposing factor.
Remove infected plants
Dig out and destroy infected crowns including all roots; do not replant with susceptible crops on that spot for several years.
Prevention
- Plant asparagus crowns on raised beds with excellent drainage
- Avoid injury to crowns during cultivation as wounds are entry points for the fungus
- Start with disease-free certified crowns from reputable suppliers
Garden, by Willowbottom recommends only organic, wildlife-friendly solutions. No synthetic pesticides, no harmful chemicals - ever.