Specific replant disease

Specific replant disease i(a.k.a. replant disorder) is a syndrome encountered by gardeners and horticulturalists whereby some plants don't properly thrive if planted in a spot previously occupied by a related species. The malady particularly affects roses, and a variety of fruit trees such as such as apples, cherries, citrus, peaches, pears, and plums,

It's known to be a micro-organism problem of some kind, because experiments have consistently shown that if the (old) soil is sterilized, the malady doesn't occur. In unsterilized earth, the effects can last up to ten years. Details of which micro-organisms are causing the problem, and why they don't appear to have affected the 'outgoing' plant, are unknown.

The UK-based Royal Horticultural Society maintains an information webpage on the syndrome.