Excessive moisture this planting season has promoted damping-off problems. ISU Extension has received numerous reports on damping-off across Iowa, especially in southern Iowa. Both preemergence damping-off and postemergence damping-off have been found. This year seedling diseases are more complicated than in past years because of the alternating warm and cool weather. If the soil temperature is warm (70-80°F), damping-off by Phytophthora or Rhizoctonia is more likely to occur. If the soil temperature is cool (60°F or below), Pythium or Fusarium are more problematic
