Parsley

Soil-borne Phytophthora can cause rotting of parsley roots and crowns, particularly in wet or poorly drained soils.

Patches of stunted plants with yellowing, wilting foliage may be the first indication of a crown rot problem (see photos of symptoms in a field and close-up of foliage). Severe infection results in collapse of the foliage and eventual plant death.

Close up of yellowing foliage

When the roots and crown are cut open, reddish brown discolouration is visible, which becomes darker as infection progresses.

The photo shows parsley roots, healthy and white (left) and with reddish internal discolouration due to Phytophthora (right)

Close-up of infected root with internal discolouration and sloughing away of outer layer