Verticillium wilt

Verticillium wilt, also known as verticilliosis, is a destructive fungal disease affecting hundreds of plant species, including trees, shrubs, vegetables, and field crops. It is caused by soil-borne fungi, primarily Verticillium albo-atrum and V. dahliae.123

Symptoms typically appear in warmer weather, with leaves on affected branches turning dull green to yellow, wilting, and withering, often starting from the base and moving upward. Young plants and annuals may be stunted and die, while perennials might lose branches over time or appear to recover. A key indicator is the presence of dark streaks in the sapwood just beneath the bark of wilted branches when cut lengthwise. Infections usually enter the plant through its roots or wounds.1

Control measures include planting disease-free and resistant varieties, rotating crops with highly resistant or immune plants for extended periods, destroying infected plants and susceptible weeds, and maintaining plant vigor through proper fertilization and watering. Pruning wilted branches can help, but tools should be sterilized between cuts.1