Fusarium Wilt
Fusarium Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici): This is one of the worst diseases of tomato occurring mostly in the nurseries. The first symptoms of the disease are clearing of the veinlets and chlorosis of the leaves. The younger leaves may die in succession and the entire may wilt and die in a course of few days. Soon the petiole and the leaves droop and wilt. In young plants, symptom consists of clearing of veinlet and dropping of petioles. In field, yellowing of the lower leaves first and affected leaflets wilt and die. The symptoms continue in subsequent leaves. At later stage, browning of vascular system occurs. Plants become stunted and die.
Control: The nursery should be regularly inspected for wilt infected plants. The affected plants should be removed and destroyed. Prior to planting the beds should be drenched with Carbendazim (0.1%) and the seeds should be treated with the Thiram (2.5 kg/ha). Crop rotation with a non-host crop such as cereals helps to reduce the disease inoculum.
