Plants infected become stunted with less growth and smaller fruit. The causal pathogen is able to stay within contaminated soil for long periods of time.

This fungus-like pathogen infects strawberries, infecting rootlets, causing the roots to rot from root tip upwards, leading to a characteristic reddening of the inner portion of the root. The pathogen can be introduced with infected planting stock or contaminated equipment.

When sending plant pathogens and invertebrate samples from outside England and Wales for testing please email the Plant Clinic (plantclinic@fera.co.uk) who will issue you with the relevant Letter of Authority to ensure your samples are not delayed upon entry to the UK.

Additional samples are available for £136 per sample.