Fusarium Wilt of Cotton
Published: 08/25/2023
Fusarium wilt is a significant disease of cotton that affects plants at different growth stages. The causal agent is Fusarium oxysporium f. sp. vasinfectum. Race 1 (FOV 1) is the most common race, while FOV race 4 is problematic in California and the far western production area of Texas (near El Paso). Symptoms include brown vascular discoloration, wilting, chlorosis, and necrosis of leaves, resulting in stunting and plant death. The disease can be mistaken for other diseases, but the brown vascular system of the hypocotyl helps with identification. The southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) is commonly associated with Fusarium wilt caused by FOV 1 but not required for FOV 4.
Vascular discoloration symptomatic of Fusarium wilt.
Travis Faske
Fusarium wilt foliar symptoms.
Travis Faske
Managing Fusarium wilt is challenging and involves using resistant cultivars and avoiding introducing and spreading the pathogen through the soil, plant material, and equipment.
Written and reviewed by Travis Faske, University of Arkansas; Tom Allen, Mississippi State University; and Trey Price, Louisiana State University.
Vascular discoloration symptomatic of Fusarium wilt. Image by Travis Faske.
Fusarium wilt foliar symptoms. Image by Travis Faske.
Field with Fusarium wilt. Image by Travis Faske.
Plants with Fusarium wilt compared to healthy plants. Image by Travis Faske.
Fusarium wilt on cotton. Image by Travis Faske.
Gallery images courtesy Travis Faske and Clemson University, USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org.
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