Verticillium Wilt of Cotton
Published: 08/25/2023
Verticillium wilt can be a significant disease of cotton caused by the fungus Verticillium dahliae. Symptoms are commonly observed during flowering and boll-fill stages, with lower leaves showing yellow or reddish discoloration and necrosis. The symptoms can progress upward if weather conditions favor development. Infected plants may be stunted compared to healthy ones, and the disease can significantly reduce lint yield, negatively affecting fiber quality.
Split stems showing symptoms of Verticillium wilt.
Travis Faske
Verticillium wilt foliar symptoms.
Travis Faske.
Verticillium wilt is caused by a fungus that has one lifecycle per year, and the density of microsclerotia in the soil plays a key role in disease severity. Crop rotation with grass crops like corn, wheat, etc. can delay the increase in microsclerotia density, but it becomes difficult to manage once the disease is established in a field. Integrated approaches include tolerant cultivars, crop rotation, and soil temperature and irrigation manipulation.
Written and reviewed by Travis Faske, University of Arkansas; Tom Allen, Mississippi State University; and Trey Price, Louisiana State University.
Split stems showing symptoms of Verticillium wilt. Image by Travis Faske.
Verticillium wilt foliar symptoms. Image by Travis Faske.
Verticillium wilt can cause defoliation. Image by Travis Faske.
Internal stem discoloration symptomatic of Verticillium wilt. Image by Clemson University, USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org.
Gallery images by Travis Faske and Clemson University, USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org.
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