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Fusarium wilt

Fusarium wilt fungi live in the soil for years and block the plant's water-conducting tissue. Leaves yellow and wilt, often on one side of the plant or one side of a leaf, and cutting the stem shows brown streaks inside.

Fungal diseases
A tomato plant yellowing and wilting on one side
A tomato plant yellowing and wilting on one side

What it looks like

It starts on one side.

  • Lower leaves on one side yellow first.
    One-sided yellowing Lower leaves on one side yellow first.
  • Leaves droop, then plants collapse.
    Wilting Leaves droop, then plants collapse.
  • Cut stems show brown staining inside.
    Brown streaks Cut stems show brown staining inside.
  • Growth slows before the wilt.
    Stunted plants Growth slows before the wilt.

How to confirm it

Cut the stem near the base.

  1. Brown inside

    Brown streaks in the woody tissue.

  2. One side

    Yellowing of half a leaf or half a plant.

  3. Warm weather

    Worst when soil is warm.

What to do

There is no cure; stop it spreading.

  1. Remove plants

    Pull and bin affected plants with their roots.

  2. Do not replant the same

    Grow unrelated crops in that soil for years.

  3. Grow resistant varieties

    Look for resistance codes such as 'F' on tomato seed.

  4. Use fresh compost

    Grow susceptible crops in containers of new compost.

Prevent it next time

  • Rotate crops.
  • Buy disease-free seed and plants.
  • Clean tools and pots.

What not to do

Do not compost infected plants.

In the growing guides

Where the guides mention it, with plant-specific advice.

Sources

  1. Fusarium wilt of vegetables, University of Maryland Extension