Fend Off Damping Off

Damping off is a fungal disease that attacks seeds and seedlings. It occurs worldwide and in all kinds of soils. Pathogens present in the soil release enzymes which degrade the seedling tissue and disrupt normal plant growth processes. Damping off can affect seeds and seedlings of all kinds of plants. Seedlings often die after emergence. Symptoms of seed infection include failure to germinate, becoming soft, turning brown, eventually shrinking and disintegrating. Damping-off can be controlled with water control and fungicide treatments, like Captan Wettable Powder. Over- watering tends to encourage damping-off. Water in the morning and allow to dry before night. Affected seedlings should be given as much light as possible.