Fusarium Wilt

An Intro to Fusarium Wilt

Fusarium Wilt is a fungal disease affecting the vascular system of host plants. It is caused by the Fusarium oxysporum fungus. Tomatoes, beans, sweet potatoes and bananas are particularly susceptible. The disease causes wilting and eventually death of the plants leaves, starting near the bottom and moving up. The plant becomes stunted, the leaves yellow and fall off, and eventually the entire plant may die.

CONDITIONS

Fusarium oxysporum can survive most climates, but is particularly active in warm, moist conditions.

TRANSMISSION

The fungus is transmitted to the plant through contact with soil and can spread to other plants on gardening tools and fingers and by splashing water. The disease starts at the roots and moves up through the plant.

MANAGEMENT

On a small gardener's scale, there are few practical solutions to the problem of a Fusarium infection. The fungus can live in soil for a long time and that soil should not be used again. There are fungicides that can eradicate the disease from the soil, but they may be difficult or impossible to acquire in a small place like Pohnpei. Diseased plants can infect nearby plants, spreading the fungus throughout your garden. Affected plants will have decreased fruit yield if they survive at all.

AVOIDING FUSARIUM

It may not be completely avoidable, but you can minimize the risk by planting in quick-draining soils, keeping plants out of the elements, and not over-watering. Even better, use plant cultivars that have been bred to be resistant to the pathogen. CLICK HERE for a complete list of Fusarium-Resistant Tomato Cultivars.

NOTABLE FUSARIUM SUB-SPECIES

F. oxysporum lycopersici is the sub-species that affects tomato plants.