Soil-borne fungi
Several soil-borne fungi can cause sudden death of new plantings.
Anthracnose Crown Rot
In southern areas, Anthracnose Crown Rot, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum fragariae, is common. This disease overwinters in soil and may be introduced into plantings through infested nursery stock. Verify identification with a lab test. More Anthracnose Crown Rot information
![Strawberry plant with tan, dead old leaves. New, healthy, green leaves are present and one flower is blooming. Plant is grown on black plastic mulch.](https://blogs.cornell.edu/berrytool/files/2016/12/stranthracnose-opt-25crfwk.jpg)
![Strawberry plants on black plastic mulch. There are three healthy plants and one dead, shaggy, brown stump that once was a strawberry plant.](https://blogs.cornell.edu/berrytool/files/2016/12/strcollectrichum-opt-2bju4so.jpg)
Pythium, Fusarium, and Rhizoctonia
In replant sites, other root rot fungi such as Pythium, Fusarium, or Rhizoctonia are possible causes. Verify identification with a lab test. More black root rot complex information
![Strawberry plants growing in sandy soil. Affected plants are small and may have no leaves at all.](https://blogs.cornell.edu/berrytool/files/2016/12/strpythium01-opt-1m7mk2m.jpg)
![Dead, shrunken, brown leaves and crowns of affected plants in soil.](https://blogs.cornell.edu/berrytool/files/2016/12/strpythium02-opt-16jgbqc.jpg)