Tulip Bulb Rot
Tulip bulb rot
Common name
Tulip bulb rot
Tulip gray bulb rot
Causal agent
Tulip bulb rot is caused by a fungal pathogen, which is a member of the genus Rhizoctonia. It occurs in growing bulbs in the soil and stored tulip bulbs.
Scientific name
Rhizoctonia Tuliparum
Symptoms & Signs
You can identify tulip bulb rot by pulling the bulb out of the soil and checking for soil stuck to it. The bulbs and the surrounding soil may have a whitish fungal growth consisting of sclerotia and spores, which gradually turn black. The bulbs weaken and turn gray, resulting in late maturation. The neck portion of the bulb also shows decay, leading to wilting and death of the plant.
Transmission
It is a soil or seed-borne fungus; hence, it mainly spreads via infected soil or infected bulbs when germinated.
Time of concern
Spring
Common hosts
Tulips
Iris
Lilies
Hyacinths
Crocuses
Daffodils