Verticillium wilt - Verticillium Wilt Disease

DISEASE: Verticillium wilt

PATHOGENS: Verticillium dahliae and Verticillium albo-atrum

HOSTS: Over 400 plant species including herbaceous annuals (ex. potato), perennials (ex. peppermint), and woody species (ex. maple). This list is expanding with the addition of new hosts succumbing to the pathogen.

Note: Several species of Verticillium cause symptoms of Verticillium wilt, but Verticillium dahliae and V. albo-atrum cause economic losses in crops in temperate regions of the world and hence are the most studied species. The disease cycle of both species is similar in most aspects except that V. dahliae produces microsclerotia and V. albo-atrum produces melanized mycelia for survival between crops. Therefore, only V. dahliae is emphasized in this lesson.

Authors
Ingrid Berlanger, Oregon State University
Mary L. Powelson, Oregon State University

Unilateral leaf necrosis and wilt in potato.

Verticillium spp. have a wide host range, including herbaceous annuals and perennials and woody perennials. Verticillium wilt is problematic in temperate areas of the world, especially in irrigated regions. The pathogens can persist in soil for many years in the absence of a susceptible crop. Infection is through the roots, and management of the disease is difficult.

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