To avoid root rots, which practices are recommended?

• A. Clean plants and good drainage
• B. Overwatering the soil
• C. Planting in compacted soil
• D. Using soil sterilants regularly

Answer: (A)

Root rots develop when roots stay wet and cannot get enough oxygen, and when pathogens are present on plant material. Keeping plants clean helps reduce the amount of disease-causing organisms that can be introduced or spread, since soil, debris, and diseased roots can harbor and transfer those pathogens. Good drainage matters because well-draining soil and properly functioning container drainage prevent water from pooling around the roots, creating the oxygen-rich, drier environment that roots need. Together, sanitation and moisture management cut the chances for rot by lowering inoculum and preventing waterlogged roots.

Overwatering keeps soil saturated and invites rot, so it’s not a protective practice. Planting in compacted soil reduces pore space and drainage, which also favors root rot. Using soil sterilants regularly isn’t a practical or reliable long-term prevention and can harm beneficial soil life, so it isn’t the recommended approach.