Charcoal rot: Caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, this disease affects roots and lower stems of a wide range of crops, particularly in hot, dry regions. Above ground symptoms include leaf yellowing followed by wilting, stunting, and ashy–colored stem discoloration at the ground level. Microsclerotia become visible in and on stem lesions. The soilborne pathogen is most prevalent in agronomic rotations with corn, cotton, potato, sorghum, and/or soybean; it is also a common disease of strawberry.
