Breadcrumb

Home

Verticillium Wilt

microsclerotia, tiny black dots, developing on the edge of a colony arranged in a spray-like pattern

Microsclerotia are small, hard melanated fungal bodies, and are a big part of what makes Verticillium wilt so difficult to manage. The microsclerotia of Verticilliium dahliae can survive up to ten years, which makes crop rotation an ineffective standalone management strategy. Most farmers rely on fungicides to manage the severity of the disease.

potato plants in a field, mixed wilting and healthy. some of the worse off plants are flagging

Root growth exudates stimulate the germination of V. dahliae microsclerotia in the soil, which then penetrate through the root and colonize the vascular system of the host. This causes necrosis, leading to leaf browning and woody, stiff stems that stand straight up rather than band and flex with the wind. This characteristic symptom in S. tuberosum is referred to as "flagging."

a halved potato exposes a vascular system browning from the root

Occasionally V. dahliae will colonize the vascular system of the tubers themselves, visible as a distinctive brown ring when cut open. Some potatoes make it to grocery store shelves with this rare symptom hidden inside, but not to worry; this fungus is not harmful for humans to ingest.

Hi! This page is under construction!

unit footer

Contact

Ashish Ranjan

[email protected]

+ 612-624-2291

For Students, Faculty, and Staff

One Stop
MyU

Home
People
Publications
Research
News
Opportunities
Teaching