University of Maryland Extension

Verticillium Wilt - Vegetables

eggplant infected with verticillium wilt

Symptoms of verticillium include older leaves turning yellow, dying and dropping off infected plants without wilting of the entire plant. Shoot tips wilt during the day and may curl upward. Lower stem tissue, under the epidermis, is darkened by the infection. 

This is a soil-borne fungal disease that affects dozens of vegetable crops, especially tomato, potato, eggplant (see above photo), pepper, and strawberry and bramble plants.

Fruit production is reduced and the entire plant may die. This disease is more prevalent in states north of Maryland. Purchase the seed of resistant cultivars and plant disease-free transplants. Destroy infected plants; use a three-year rotation for susceptible crops.

verticillium on potato
Symptoms on potato

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