Fusarium Crown/Root Rot

HOSTS

• Asparagus
• Brassicas
• Cucurbits
• Solanaceous Crops

BIOLOGY

The Fusarium species that cause this disease are soilborne pathogens. They each can survive in the soil for many years by living as a saprophyte and feeding on plant debris, or as long-lived chlamydospores (resting spores). As a pathogen, F. solani strains can be host-specific but they can survive on roots of other plants such as weeds, making it very difficult to eliminate the pathogen once it has been introduced into a field. Most strains grow best at temperatures between 77 °F to 86 °F and in wet conditions.

SYMPTOMS

• Rotting and necrotic (brown) roots.
• Discoloration and softening of crown tissue.
• Stunted plant growth.
• Wilting and death of plants.
  

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

• Remove infected plants, including roots, in a timely manner.
• Maintain good sanitation by sanitizing equipment and sterilizing soil.
• Rotate fields with non susceptible crops to prevent buildup of pathogens in the soil. 
• Use resistant cultivars when available. 
• Ensure proper soil drainage.

FUNGICIDES