[3] Phymatotrichopsis omnivora is a necrotrophic fungal pathogen that has a very broad host range, attacking almost 2000 dicotyledonous species.

[5] Economically important plant hosts affected by the pathogen include: peanuts, cotton, alfalfa, apple, pecans, and ornamental trees.

[4] In the field, infected cotton plants exhibit wilting in the mid to late summer form large circular patches and later die.

Distinctive cruciform branched hyphae develop on infected root tissue which are observable with compound microscope (Figure 1).

[6] Another macroscopic sign is tan and white spore mats developed on the soil surface near the infected plants during favorable high moisture environmental conditions.

[2] The highest concentrations of Texas root rot disease are found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with cases also reported in India and Pakistan.

[9] These experimental findings support the conclusion that Texas root rot preferentially develops in wet over dry soil conditions.

[9] The same study also found that virulence of Texas root rot develops inversely to air temperatures over 93 degrees Fahrenheit.

The elevation in temperatures produces Texas root rot's most severe symptoms: wilting and bronze colored leaves.

[10] The pathogen is only active in the summer months when the high average temperatures can heat the soil microclimate one foot deep over 80 °F (27 °C).

Microarray analysis and gene expression profiling revealed that certain pathways related to plant defense such as jasmonic acid, ethylene, and flavonoid production were reduced at later infectious stages.

[13] The most common management strategy to limit the spread and damage produced by Texas root rot is soil manipulation.

Texas root displays a varied infection pattern so the most effective treatment plans contain a variety of management strategies.

[5] Though Texas root rot has been studied since 1888, there are few effective management tools because of the unique biological characteristics of the pathogen.

Namely, its ability to last virtually indefinitely in soil and its capacity to survive on roots of native vegetation without producing symptoms.