Verticillium wilt—Verticillium
dahliae
Symptoms of Verticillium wilt first appear on leaves, usually in late spring after fruit production
has begun. Older leaves may turn brown along the margins and between veins, may develop an off-green
color, or may wilt. Leaves dry up as the disease progresses. Eventually the entire plant wilts and
dies. Browning of the oldest leaves while young leaves remain green is characteristic. If the crown
of an affected plant is sliced open, brown discoloration of the vascular tissue can often be seen.
Life cycle
Solutions
Verticillium wilt can appear in new strawberry plantings that are planted in soil where the pathogen
has built up on strawberries or another crop host of the disease. Hosts include crucifers, cucurbits,
eggplant, tomato, potato, and mint. Rotating to nonhosts can help reduce the pathogen in the soil.
Using soil
solarization and planting resistant cultivars can help minimize problems. Check with a
local advisor or garden supply catalog to see which cultivars may be available in your area. |
First symptoms
of Verticillium wilt
Discoloration
of vascular tissue
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