Symptoms

Seedling diseases sometimes occur during periods of high rainfall in fields with soil compaction or other causes of poor drainage. Aboveground, plants appear stunted and yellowed, and may be wilted. In case of a Phytophthora infection, leaves sometimes also exhibit reddening. Belowground, roots and nodules appear decayed. Fungal infection of roots and stems of very young seedlings can cause sudden wilting and collapse (damping-off) of seedlings. Seedlings that are several weeks old at the time of root infection may become stunted or even killed, but still remain erect (seedling blight).