Fusarium Wilt > Identify, Control & Disease Prevention Tips

Fusarium Wilt

Fusarium wilt is a common and dangerous fungal disease which spreads mainly by cells and affects plants at any age. The causative agents of fusarium are common fungi of the genus Fusarium - F. solani, F. equiseti, F. moniliforme, F. scirpi, F. conglutinans, etc. The infection spreads through the soil, where the disease-causing fungi can live for many years. Different types of fungus cause wilting of various vegetable plants, such as watermelons, cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage, capsicum, and others. Weakened plants are the most vulnerable. Compacted soil, excessive watering, the accumulation of a layer of straw on the lawn, and high air temperatures contribute to the development of fusarium wilt.

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Signs of damage

In young plants, the roots and root neck begin to rock;
In summer, spots begin to form;
The tissues and roots turn brown;
White-pink mold on dead grass blades near their base;
Red pads on leaves;
The stem visibly weakens;
The leaves acquire yellow coloring;
The whole plant withers and consequently dies quite soon.

How to prevent

Use healthy seed material. Grow resistant varieties and hybrids using healthy seed material.

Fusarium often occurs when the soil is cold, heavy, and too moist. Take care of the seedlings and avoid over-moistening and wetting. Remove excess moisture from the area. Increased soil solution acidity and poor soil aeration also contribute to its development. Therefore, be sure to deacidify and loosen the soil. Add lime, dolomite, and sand to the soil. Feeding is very important, so one or two treatments would not be enough. Avoid feeding with nitrogen fertilizers; increase the amounts of phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements instead.

Heal

Bringing the soil pH to the level of 6.5 and applying nitrate nitrogen can inhibit the first signs of disease development in infected areas. In the presence of visible plant damage, the fusarium is not curable. Immediately destroy the affected plants to stop the fungus spread and treat the remaining plants with fungicides.

After you remove the infected plants, immediately carry out the treatment of healthy crops. Use fungicides of biological origin. The following drugs are among the most effective: trichodermin

(a biological preparation that is introduced into the soil for the prevention or treatment of fungal infection by treating the seeds and the plants themselves with a solution), potassium humate, and fundazol. Strengthen plant immunity; then, the affected plant will preserve life and attractiveness as long as possible.

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