Fusarium wilt

A widespread plant disease caused by several types of Fusarium oxysporum and close relative species such as Fusarium foetens. These soil-borne pathogens are often host specific and classified into forma specialis (f. sp.), e.g. F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae causes wilt on lettuce and F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, on strawberry. This disease can damage a large number of crops causing important economic losses.

What damage can Fusarium cause?

• The infection starts in the roots and will block the vessels of the plant, causing disruption of the water transport
• The vessels turn black, which you see when cutting through the plant stem or crown.
• Wilt is the most important symptom, but it can cause other symptoms such as chlorosis, necrosis, premature leaf drop, stunting and damping-off.

How to protect plants against Fusarium wilt?

For biological control of Fusarium wilt, you can rely on the biological fungicide ASPERELLO^® T34 Biocontrol^®.

What are the characteristics of Fusarium wilt?

• Fusarium can survive in the soil for many years by means of resting structures called chlamydospores
• The disease can also be transmitted through water splash, planting equipment, infected transplants and seeds.
• The fungal disease develops faster at high temperatures