Brown root rot disease is a destructive

plant disease Plant diseases are diseases in plants caused by pathogens (infectious organisms) and environmental conditions (physiological factors). Organisms that cause infectious disease include fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, viruses, viroids, virus-like or ...

caused by

fungi A fungus (: fungi , , , or ; or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and mold (fungus), molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as one ...

, primarily ''

Phellinus noxius ''Pyrrhoderma noxium'' is a species of plant pathogen. It attacks a wide range of tropical plants, and is the cause of brown root rot disease. It has been described as "an aggressive and destructive pathogen".Ribera, J., Tang, A., Schubert, M., ...

''. It affects a wide range of plants, including trees, shrubs, and crops, leading to root decay, poor growth, and often the death of the plant. This disease is common in

tropical The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the equator, where the sun may shine directly overhead. This contrasts with the temperate or polar regions of Earth, where the Sun can never be directly overhead. This is because of Earth's ax ...

and

subtropical The subtropical zones or subtropics are geographical zone, geographical and Köppen climate classification, climate zones immediately to the Northern Hemisphere, north and Southern Hemisphere, south of the tropics. Geographically part of the Ge ...

regions with warm, moist climates.

Host plants

* Trees:

Mango A mango is an edible stone fruit produced by the tropical tree '' Mangifera indica''. It originated from the region between northwestern Myanmar, Bangladesh, and northeastern India. ''M. indica'' has been cultivated in South and Southeast As ...

, rubber,

avocado The avocado, alligator pear or avocado pear (''Persea americana'') is an evergreen tree in the laurel family (Lauraceae). It is native to Americas, the Americas and was first domesticated in Mesoamerica more than 5,000 years ago. It was priz ...

, and cacao trees. * Shrubs and ornamentals: Coffee, tea, and other decorative plants. * Crops:

Legume Legumes are plants in the pea family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae), or the fruit or seeds of such plants. When used as a dry grain for human consumption, the seeds are also called pulses. Legumes are grown agriculturally, primarily for human consum ...

sugarcane Sugarcane or sugar cane is a species of tall, Perennial plant, perennial grass (in the genus ''Saccharum'', tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar Sugar industry, production. The plants are 2–6 m (6–20 ft) tall with stout, jointed, fib ...

, and some vegetables.

Symptoms

Plants affected by brown root rot disease exhibit several noticeable symptoms that progress as the infection worsens. The primary symptom is root decay, where the roots turn brown, decompose, and lose their ability to absorb water and nutrients effectively. This damage to the root system causes the plant to weaken over time. Above ground, the leaves begin to wilt, turn yellow, and eventually fall off, reflecting the plant's declining health. Growth becomes stunted, with infected plants appearing smaller and less vigorous compared to healthy ones. In some cases, a crusty, brown fungal mat may form at the base of the plant or on exposed roots, serving as a visible sign of fungal activity. If the disease remains unchecked, the plant's root system collapses entirely, leading to the plant's death.

Causes and spread

Brown root rot is caused by fungi that live in the soil or on decaying plant material. The primary pathogen, ''Phellinus noxius'', infects plants through their roots, especially if the roots are wounded or stressed. The disease spreads through: * Root-to-root contact with infected plants. * Contaminated soil or water. * Plant debris left in the field.

References

{{reflist Plant diseases Fungal plant pathogens and diseases