The most distinctive symptoms of Phytophthora root rot are the brown lesions on roots of all sizes. The xylem of the roots above the lesions often turns yellowish or brown in color. In severe cases, nearly all roots may be girdled or rotted off. Aboveground, infected plants are slow growing and may wilt or die in hot weather. When fruit in contact with the ground are infected.
Phytophthora parasitica and P. capsici occur in most soils. Infection of plants occurs at any stage of growth when there is free water in the soil. Damage is greatest in poorly drained, compacted, or overirrigated soils.
