Tomato – Fusarium Wilt

Fusarium Wilt on tomato
Photo: Dr. Wayne Nishijima

Problem

Leaves of the tomato turn yellow, wilt and die while still attached to the plant. Symptoms gradually move up the plant, though sometimes half of a leaf will be affected and the other half looks fine. Fusarium wilt may affect whole branches as well as leaves.

Information

• CTAHR – Farmer’s Bookshelf – Vegetables – Tomato
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Vegetable Production – Tomato Problem Solver - Disorders of tomato stems
  

Control

Plant resistant varieties, use crop rotation and sanitation. If you can keep the pH level near 6.5 it can help control Fusarium wilt. Because Fusarium wilt attacks plants through the roots, it can be spread through irrigation which makes control difficult though not impossible.

Kendal Lyon, Hawaii Island Master Gardeners