How to Manage Pests

Verticillium wilt on tomatoes—Verticillium dahliae

Verticillium wilt often starts as a yellowing between the major veins of the leaves. The fungus moves throughout the plant and eventually whole leaves and stems wither and die.

Identification

Both Fusarium and Verticillium wilt cause leaf yellowing and discoloration of the water-conducting tissues of the plant. Cut affected plants at the base of stems and examine them in cross section to see the browning of the water-conducting tissue compared to the healthy ivory of uninfected plants. Verticillium and Fusarium discoloration are extremely difficult to distinguish, although Fusarium discoloration tends to be darker. Fusarium tends to occur more in warmer soils and Verticillium in cooler ones. Management for both requires resistant varieties.

Life cycle

Both Fusarium and Verticillium form resistant structures that can survive in the soil in the absence of a living host. These soil fungi are spread in soil water, on equipment, transplants, or tubers. In the presence of a host plant, the resistant structures germinate and penetrate the plant's roots either directly or through wounds. Once inside the root, the fungus grows until it reaches the water-conducting cells, inside which it spreads upward through the plant, restricting water flow.

Solutions

Verticillium wilt of tomatoes can be avoided in many cases by planting resistant varieties, which are labeled V. If you wish to grow susceptible varieties, problems can sometimes be minimized by removing all residue, including roots that may be susceptible, and using soil solarization before you plant.