Fusarium Wilt
Fusarium oxysporum
Fusarium Wilt
Fusarium Wilt is a fungal wilt disease that blocks the vascular tissues in plants and causes the fleshy growth to wilt and die.
Identification
Fusarium Wilt is hard to distinguish from other wilt diseases as it generally produces symptoms such as wilting, chlorosis, necrosis, premature leaf drop, browning of the vascular system, stunting and damping-off. It is a soil-borne pathogen and so will transfer from crop to crop if they are planted in the same place which can be a factor in discerning the cause of the wilt.
Growth factors
Prefers moist soils and high temperatures but can survive in both arctic and desert conditions
Symptoms
Wilting of leaves
Death of top-growth
Biological treatment
Streptomyces griseoviridis is a bacteria that is used in some treatments for this disease. However, field treatments of this fungi are less effective than glasshouse treatment
Chemical treatment
There are chemical fungicides that can be used to treat the soil to kill any overwintering fungi.
Prevention
Buying and using clean seeds that are disease free. Maintaining good soil health. Planting resistant cultivars.