Fusarium oxysporum spp.

Fusarium wilt is a stealthy soil-borne disease that works its way up through the roots and into a plant’s vascular system, blocking the flow of water and nutrients. It often begins subtly, with slight yellowing or wilting of older leaves, and quickly becomes more pronounced. The symptoms are typically one-sided, with one half of the plant affected while the other appears healthy. As it progresses, leaves brown and drop, growth slows, and the plant eventually collapses. Fusarium can linger in the soil for years, making it a persistent threat.

Once Fusarium takes hold, recovery is unlikely. There are no curative treatments for organic growers, and replanting into contaminated beds usually leads to repeated losses. Prevention through the use of resistant varieties, biological soil treatments, and improved drainage is essential to avoid the heavy costs of crop failure and disease spread.

Start by choosing resistant seed varieties and rotating crops away from affected beds for at least three years. Avoid overwatering and ensure good soil drainage. If symptoms do appear, you can confirm Fusarium by inspecting the plant’s vascular tissue. Slice into the stem near the base and look for reddish or brown streaks running inside the stem walls. 
Another useful check is the water test. Place a freshly cut stem into a glass of clean water and watch for cloudy exudate or stringy discharge from the base. This confirms that the vascular system is compromised, a classic sign of Fusarium wilt.

• Biologicals

  
  

  • RhizoVital
    Enhances root health and resistance using Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Apply directly to moist soil around the plant base.

  • SoyGro Aktinos
    Based on Streptomyces strains that suppress soil-borne diseases like Fusarium. Apply during early root development and repeat under high-risk conditions.

Note: Fusarium is best tackled before symptoms show. Combine soil drenches, crop rotation, and resistant varieties to build long-term resilience. Once a bed is infected, avoid replanting vulnerable crops without first rebuilding the microbial profile and improving drainage.