AVRDC International Cooperators'
Fact Sheet

Tomato Diseases


Fusarium Wilt
Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici

Worldwide, more prevalent in warmer climates

 yellowing beginning on one side of vine

     

Damage Symptoms

Yellowing of the foliage, beginning with the lower leaves and working upward. Yellowing often begins on one side of the vine. Infected leaves later turn brown.

The top of the vine wilts during the day and recovers at night. Wilting becomes progressively worse until vines are permanently wilted.

Vascular browning extends far up the stem and into large petioles.


Conditions for Development

Warm weather favors Fusarium. The disease is most prevalent on acidic, sandy soils. The pathogen is soil borne and persists many years in the soil without a host. Three races are known to exist.

  

blighting from bottom up

Yellowing and blighting of foliage from the bottom up
 

vascular discoloration

Red to brown vascular discoloration

     

Control

Use resistant cultivars; cultivars resistant to race 1 and race 1,2 are available. Raise soil pH to 6.5-7.0. Use nitrate nitrogen rather than ammonium nitrogen. Clean equipment to avoid infesting new fields. A 5-7 year rotation and the use of flooded rice will reduce losses. Use raised beds to promote soil drainage. Keep soil surface dry.
 

Last updated: 2001. 
Information from: Vegetable Diseases: A Practical Guide. Lowell L. Black, AVRDC; and AVRDC International Cooperators's Guide on Suggested Cultural Practices for Tomato.
 

AVRDC Home | Extension Materials Home | Tomato Home