Editing Texas root rot (section)

== Disease cycle ==
[[File:Disease Lifecycle of P. Omnivera.jpg|thumb|Figure 2: disease cycle]]
The disease overwinters as sclerotia or as mycelium on dead plant tissue. In spring to early summer, the germination phase begins with hyphae growth and  root colonization. In middle and late summer, the disease reaches its infectious stage when associated symptoms are observed.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=UPPALAPATI S.R, YOUNG, C. A., MAREK, S. M. and MYSORE, K. S|year=2010|title=Phymatotrichum (cotton) root rot caused by ''Phymatotrichopsis omnivora'': retrospects and prospects|journal= [[Molecular Plant Pathology]] |volume=11|issue=3|pages=325–334|doi=10.1111/j.1364-3703.2010.00616.x|pmid=20447281|pmc=6640249}}</ref> The pathogen penetrates the host and colonize plant root tissue causing a root rot. This results in the first symptoms of the disease manifested by chlorotic leaves and eventually wilting.<ref name=":1" /> Root rot disease rings enlarge, and the field can be categorized into three zones based upon plant status: asymptomatic, disease front and survivor.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Digital Imaging to Evaluate Root System Architectural Changes Associated with Soil Biotic Factors|journal= [[Phytobiomes Journal]] |year=2019|publisher=American Phytopathological Society|doi=10.1094/PBIOMES-12-18-0062-R|last1=Mattupalli|first1=Chakradhar|last2=Seethepalli|first2=Anand|last3=York|first3=Larry M.|last4=Young|first4=Carolyn A.|volume=3|issue=2|pages=102–111|doi-access=free}}</ref> The pathogen disseminates by infecting neighboring plants, with infected plant tissue serving as a secondary inoculum and further spreading the disease. In situations of high moisture, conidia are produced on spore mats but their role in dispersal is unknown since conidia rarely germinate.<ref name=":1" />

''P. omnivora'' forms several kinds of differentiated hyphae. Initially, hyphae emerge from [[sclerotia]] overwintering in soil.<ref name=":1" /> Sclerotia are the primary inoculum in affected fields.<ref name=":2" /> The emerging hyphae either infects the host root or form mycelial strands with a differentiated rind. Upon contact with host roots, ''P. omnivora'' forms a mycelial mantle on the root's surface.<ref name=":2" /> This leads to necrosis of epidermis and underlying cortical tissue, leading to root lesions. As the disease progresses, the roots are covered by the characteristic cinnamon-colored mycelial strands covered with acircular sterile hyphae, a diagnostic sign of Texas Root Rot.<ref name=":2" /> The roots at later stages of infection show extensive vascular discoloration due to root necrosis. The mycelial strands and symptom development in field-infected roots are especially conspicuous on cotton.<ref name=":2" /> During the late summer and fall, mycelial strands formed on the root surfaces or in the soil form sclerotia to survive the winter, thus completing the life cycle.