Verticillium wilt: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 04:07, 18 February 2025

A plant disease caused by soil-borne fungi

Verticillium wilt is a fungal disease affecting over 300 species of eudicot plants. It is caused by fungi in the genus Verticillium, primarily Verticillium dahliae and Verticillium albo-atrum. The disease is characterized by wilting, chlorosis, and necrosis of leaves, often leading to plant death.

Symptoms[edit]

Plants infected with Verticillium wilt exhibit a range of symptoms, including yellowing and wilting of leaves, stunted growth, and premature leaf drop. The vascular tissue of affected plants often shows brown discoloration, which can be observed by cutting through the stem.

Pathogen[edit]

The fungi responsible for Verticillium wilt are soil-borne and can persist in the soil for many years. Verticillium dahliae produces microsclerotia, which are small, resilient structures that allow the fungus to survive in the absence of a host. These microsclerotia germinate in response to root exudates from susceptible plants.

Host Range[edit]

Verticillium wilt affects a wide range of host plants, including economically important crops such as tomato, potato, cotton, and olive. Many ornamental plants, such as maple and rose, are also susceptible.

Disease Cycle[edit]

The disease cycle of Verticillium wilt begins with the germination of microsclerotia in the soil. The fungus infects the plant through the roots and colonizes the vascular system, disrupting water and nutrient transport. This leads to the characteristic wilting and yellowing symptoms.

Management[edit]

Management of Verticillium wilt involves a combination of cultural practices, resistant varieties, and, in some cases, chemical treatments. Crop rotation and soil solarization can help reduce the inoculum in the soil. Resistant cultivars are available for some crops, and these should be used where possible.

Images[edit]

Related pages[edit]

References[edit]

Pegg, G. F., & Brady, B. L. (2002). Verticillium Wilts. CABI Publishing.
Agrios, G. N. (2005). Plant Pathology. Elsevier Academic Press.

Verticillium wilt
Verticillium wilt dahliae
Verticillium wilt infected tree

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-'''Verticillium Wilt''' is a soil-borne fungal disease that affects a wide range of plants, including vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, and trees. The disease is caused by the fungi ''[[Verticillium dahliae]]'' and ''[[Verticillium albo-atrum]]''.
+{{Short description|A plant disease caused by soil-borne fungi}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-== Symptoms ==
+'''Verticillium wilt''' is a fungal disease affecting over 300 species of eudicot plants. It is caused by fungi in the genus ''[[Verticillium]]'', primarily ''[[Verticillium dahliae]]'' and ''[[Verticillium albo-atrum]]''. The disease is characterized by wilting, chlorosis, and necrosis of leaves, often leading to plant death.
-The first symptoms of Verticillium Wilt often appear as yellowing and wilting of lower leaves, typically on one side of the plant or one branch of a tree. As the disease progresses, wilting and yellowing spread upward to the rest of the plant, often followed by browning and death of the foliage. In some cases, the plant may die back completely, only to regrow and then exhibit symptoms again.
-== Disease Cycle ==
+==Symptoms==
-The ''Verticillium'' fungi survive in the soil as microscopic, dark-colored structures called [[microsclerotia]]. These structures can survive for many years in the soil, even in the absence of a suitable host. When conditions are favorable, the microsclerotia germinate and infect the roots of susceptible plants. The fungi then grow up into the water-conducting vessels of the plant, producing toxins and blocking the flow of water and nutrients.
+Plants infected with Verticillium wilt exhibit a range of symptoms, including yellowing and wilting of leaves, stunted growth, and premature leaf drop. The vascular tissue of affected plants often shows brown discoloration, which can be observed by cutting through the stem.
-== Management ==
+==Pathogen==
-Management of Verticillium Wilt involves a combination of cultural practices and, in some cases, the use of resistant varieties. Cultural practices include crop rotation, sanitation, and soil solarization. [[Crop rotation]] with non-host crops can help reduce the amount of ''Verticillium'' in the soil. Sanitation involves removing and destroying infected plant material to prevent the spread of the fungi. [[Soil solarization]], a method of heating the soil by covering it with clear plastic, can kill the ''Verticillium'' fungi in the top few inches of soil.
+The fungi responsible for Verticillium wilt are soil-borne and can persist in the soil for many years. ''Verticillium dahliae'' produces microsclerotia, which are small, resilient structures that allow the fungus to survive in the absence of a host. These microsclerotia germinate in response to root exudates from susceptible plants.
-== Resistant Varieties ==
+==Host Range==
-Some plant varieties are resistant to Verticillium Wilt. These varieties can be a good choice for areas where the disease is known to be present. However, resistance is not immunity, and even resistant varieties can become infected under high disease pressure.
+Verticillium wilt affects a wide range of host plants, including economically important crops such as [[tomato]], [[potato]], [[cotton]], and [[olive]]. Many ornamental plants, such as [[maple]] and [[rose]], are also susceptible.
-== See Also ==
+==Disease Cycle==
-* [[Fusarium Wilt]]
+The disease cycle of Verticillium wilt begins with the germination of microsclerotia in the soil. The fungus infects the plant through the roots and colonizes the vascular system, disrupting water and nutrient transport. This leads to the characteristic wilting and yellowing symptoms.
-* [[Dutch Elm Disease]]
-* [[Plant Pathology]]
-[[Category:Plant diseases]]
+==Management==
+Management of Verticillium wilt involves a combination of cultural practices, resistant varieties, and, in some cases, chemical treatments. Crop rotation and soil solarization can help reduce the inoculum in the soil. Resistant cultivars are available for some crops, and these should be used where possible.
+==Images==
+[[File:Verticillium_wilt.jpg|thumb|Symptoms of Verticillium wilt on a plant.]]
+[[File:Verticillium_wilt_dahliae.jpg|thumb|''Verticillium dahliae'' microsclerotia.]]
+[[File:VerticilliumWilt_Infected_Tree.jpg|thumb|A tree showing symptoms of Verticillium wilt.]]
+==Related pages==
+* [[Fusarium wilt]]
+* [[Phytophthora]]
+* [[Plant pathology]]
+==References==
+* Pegg, G. F., & Brady, B. L. (2002). ''Verticillium Wilts''. CABI Publishing.
+* Agrios, G. N. (2005). ''Plant Pathology''. Elsevier Academic Press.
+[[Category:Plant pathogens and diseases]]
 [[Category:Fungal plant pathogens and diseases]]
-{{plant-disease-stub}}
+<gallery>
+File:Verticillium_wilt.jpg|Verticillium wilt
+File:Verticillium_wilt_dahliae.jpg|Verticillium wilt dahliae
+File:VerticilliumWilt_Infected_Tree.jpg|Verticillium wilt infected tree
+</gallery>