Avocado root rot is the most serious disease of avocados. In California, production losses related to Phytophthora cinnamomi, the causal fungus of this disease, exceed one million dollars annually.
Unfortunately, once Phytophthora cinnamomi is introduced in an orchard it is very difficult, if not nearly impossible, to completely eradicate. Prevention is key to maintaining a healthy grove.
Learn how to prevent the introduction or spread of avocado root rot on our website.
Symptoms and management of the disease can be found here.
Light brown, whitish healthy avocado root next to
black, dead root killed by Phytophthora root rot.
Photo by David Rosen.
Young avocado, lightly mulched, planted on soil berm
to improve drainage and control root rot.
Soil freshly cultivated in middles for weed control.
Photo by David Rosen.