various synthetic chemicals have been found effective for management of Fusarium wilt. Treat the seeds with Benlate with 30% thiram and 30% benomyl is helpful for managing the seed borne pathogens (Haware et al., 1978 and Pande et al., 2007).
Prochloraz and bromuconazole were the most effective fungicides against the pathogen both in vitro and in vivo, followed by benomyl and carbendazim. All other fungicides were less effective.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for fusarium wilt. The only option is preventing fusarium in your plants. Once your plants are infected, they must be removed and destroyed.
Treatment with chemical fungicides especially prochloraz, carbendazim, propiconazole, thiabendazole, benomyl, thiophanate, fuberidazole and benzimidazoles considerably reduce the wilt incidence in tomatoes [7, 8].
Use an effective fungicide. These include: metconazole (Caramba®), prothioconazole + tebuconazole (Prosaro®), prothioconazole (Proline®), and adepidyn (Miravis Ace®). Apply an effective fungicide at the correct time. The most effective application window is from flowering (anthesis; Feekes 10.5.
The resistance of Fusarium species to most antifungal agents results in high mortality rates in immunocompromised patients. Natamycin is active against Fusarium species and, with voriconazole, is the mainstay of treatment for Fusarium keratitis.
AMB considered being the most effective drug against Fusarium, followed by VRC. Posaconazole can be used for refractory cases. Nonetheless, the usage of monotherapy for the treatment of systemic fusariosis is unsatisfactory owing to high rates of resistance against antifungal agents.
There is no effective fungicide or other cure for Fusarium wilt. The pathogen nearly always kills infected hosts. Prevention and exclusion are the only effective management strategies. Avoid this problem by replanting at that site using species from different genera than plants previously infected there by Fusarium.
How to Control Fusarium Wilt: Once fusarium wilt infects a plant, there is no effective treatment. Remove and dispose of affected plants immediately; don't compost this garden refuse. Whenever possible, remove and replace fusarium-infected garden soil.
There are three strains of fusarium, the following are listed as having resistance to at least one. Resistant varieties for garden tomatoes: Sun Start, Sunny, Daybreak, Mt. Spring, Mt. Fresh, Celebrity, Floralina, Jet Star, Merced, Sunmaster, Sun Leaper, Carolina Gold.
Avoid over-watering: Over-watering can increase the chances of Fusarium Wilt because the fungus thrives in moist soil.
Synthetic fungicides are widely used to control wilt diseases. Thiophanate-methyl was found to be effective against Fusarium wilt disease when applied as a soil drench and a seed dresser3.
You can reduce the spread of Fusarium wilt by limiting overhead watering, sanitizing equipment and planting resistant cultivars. Infected seeds and transplants are also common vectors of the disease, so know your sources or take proactive measures to sterilize plants before introducing them into the growing area.
Symptoms and Signs
Initially, symptoms of Fusarium wilt of tomato appear as one-sided wilting of only half of the plant, branch, or leaflet. At first, the plant will appear to recover from the wilt, but as the disease progresses, it will become permanent regardless of temperature or water status.
Plants in the Solanaceae family that were evaluated include Nicotiana glauca, Solanum aculeastrum, Solanum mauritianum and Solanum seaforthianum. Leaf extracts from these plants demonstrated potent in vitro activities (minimum inhibitory concentrations <1.0 mg/mL) against nine Fusarium species (Table 2).
Control of Verticillium Wilt
Verticillium wilt can't be cured once it enters the plant. It's best to remove and destroy small, easily replaced plants. The disease remains in the soil after you remove the plant, so don't plant another susceptible species in the same area.
In general, control of Fusarium wilt disease can be accomplished by improving soil conditions, planting disease-resistant varieties, removing infected plant tissues, using clean seeds, and using soil and fungicides.
Chemical Control
Prothioconazole is the only commercially available fungicide with proven efficacy. Azoxystrobin, prothioconazole and thiophanate-methyl led to the highest values for reduction of Fusarium wilt and did not cause phytotoxicity in watermelons.
The beneficial soil-borne fungus Trichoderma harzianum strain T-22, which is sold as Trianum, can help keep Fusarium at bay. This fungus competes with Fusarium in the soil for nutrients and can even destroy this harmful fungus.
Heritage is an effective systemic fungicide, providing control of Microdochium (Fusarium) Patch, Anthracnose, Take-All Patch, Brown Patch, Leaf Spot/Melting out, Rust diseases and Type 2 Fairy Rings.
although there is generally a seven day window to apply Prosaro® for fusarium head blight (FhB) protection, data indicates that growers who apply early (between Day +1 and Day +3) will receive the greatest return on their investment (see chart below).
Use of calcium nitrate fertilizer instead of ammonium nitrate can reduce Fusarium disease severity in some soils. In acidic soils, raising the soil pH to 7 can help to control disease.
Treatment options include the lipid formulations of amphotericin B, voriconazole, and posaconazole. Prevention of fusarial infection among high-risk patients should be considered.