Home Fungicides for Black Root Rot

Black root rot is a plant fungal disease that survives in the soil for many years. Caused by a number of different fungi, it affects a wide range of plants, including flowers, ornamental shrubs and garden fruits and vegetables. Good cultural practices limit the disease. Instead of using commercial fungicides to combat black root rot, try a homemade natural fungicide.

The Pythium rhizoctonia or Thielaviopsis fungi may cause black root rot. The first symptoms include yellowing of leaves and stunting of new growth. Black root rot is sometimes confused with other root diseases. These diseases begin rotting from the tips of the stems. Black root rot begins from the bottom of the plant at or near the soil line. Healthy roots are white with a yellowish-white interior tissue. Roots affected with black root rot have black lesions along the root structures.

The hydrogen peroxide in your medicine cabinet can also be used as a fungicide against black root rot. Mix ounce of ordinary hydrogen peroxide in 1 qt. of water. Mix the solution thoroughly and pour it into a spray bottle. Mist all the plant surfaces with the mixture as well as the soil area, according to the Avian Web. Some gardeners use hydrogen peroxide in the water when irrigating plants to routinely kill pathogens that cause plant diseases.

Common household baking soda is a natural product used for combating plant fungus problems. Mix 1 tbsp. of baking soda with 2-1/2 tbsp. of vegetable oil in 1 gallon of tap water. Mix them together thoroughly. Add ½ tsp. of Castile soap and mix the solution vigorously to keep the ingredients from separating. Pour into sprayer and spray plant leaves and soil surface, according to the Golden Harvest.

Apple cider vinegar has natural antifungal properties. Mix together a 5 percent solution of apple cider vinegar with 1 gallon of water. Spray the solution onto plant leaves and onto the surface of the soil at the root level. Use it in the morning so vinegar does not burn tender plant tissues in the hot sun.

Neem oil is often used as an insecticide and fungicide. Add a few drops of the oil to the water and irrigate the plant at the root level to combat the spread of black root rot.