Plants growing in fields are under constant attack by many soil organisms.
If conditions become favorable for infection and disease, then the plant suffers. Learn what pathogens attack the crop to be grown. To monitor for root diseases, select a few plants from different locations and remove plants from their containers or gently scrape or wash away soil. Test kits are available for detecting Pythium, Rhizoctonia, and Phytophthora fungi infecting greenhouse and container-grown nursery plants. Use test kits in combination with other information to make good pest management decisions.