Fusarium wilt
scouted April 30, 2026
- Scientific Name
- Fusarium sp.
- Background
- A tobacco field, variety NC 960, was being scouted, and it was observed that 35% of the field was affected by damping off, blackening, and yellowing, in patches in random areas of the field, a few plants in a row. The field is flat. At planting, it was dry, then it got cold, and the wind blew sand across the field. A sample was submitted to the PDIC for diagnosis.
- Conclusion
- The issue was identified as Fusarium wilt. It's caused by soilborne fungi that survive in organic matter and form very resistant spores. It's usually considered an opportunistic disease that develops when plants are stressed. It's recommended to prevent the spread through soil movement, minimizing plant stress by managing nematodes and other diseases, as well as proper fertilization.