Root Rot of Ficus benjamina. A. T. Bolton, Plant Pathologist, Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C6. Plant Dis. 68:816-817. Accepted for publication 23 April 1984. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1984. DOI: 10.1094/PD-68-816.

Chlorosis, defoliation, and dieback of weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) were found to be partially attributable to root infection by several fungi. Rhizoctonia solani caused death of young plants within a few weeks after the roots or root medium were inoculated with mycelial suspensions. Fusarium oxysporum isolated from F. benjamina caused severe symptoms and subsequent death of plants inoculated 6 wk after transplanting rooted cuttings to soil mixture. Pythium aphanidermatum and Cylindrocarpon sp. isolated from F. benjamina caused severe infection in newly rooted cuttings but did not affect those inoculated 6 wk after transplanting. Control of the disease in early stages of development was achieved by drenching the root medium with benomyl or PCNB.