Plant Health Initiative

Charcoal Rot - Risk Assessment

Unlike most soil fungi, which decline in activity when soils become too warm, the charcoal rot fungus is most active when soil temperatures are as high as 80-95° F (27- 35° C).

The disease develops when there is a high level of the pathogen in the soil and when plants are under stress. It's the hot, dry weather that creates much of the stress.