What is one method to effectively kill water conducting fungi?

The most effective method to kill water conducting fungi is to cut the rhizomorphs and scrape all visible fungal growth. This is because water conducting fungi, such as those in the genus Armillaria, often spread through structures called rhizomorphs, which resemble underground roots or a network of threads. By physically removing these structures and any visible fungal mass, you are interrupting the fungal lifecycle and preventing further spread and damage.

This method also allows for the removal of the source of infection from the host material, which is critical in managing fungal diseases, particularly in plant pathogens where the fungi can access and disrupt water transport within their host.

Other methods may not be as effective or could inadvertently exacerbate the problem. For instance, applying pesticides directly may not target the infection effectively and might only suppress the symptoms without addressing the root cause. Similarly, watering the affected area could provide a more hospitable environment for the fungi, promoting further fungal growth instead of eliminating it. Covering the area with plastic might create a humid microenvironment that allows the fungi to thrive rather than killing them off. Therefore, physically removing the infected tissue is the most reliable approach to dealing with these fungi.