Fusarium Wilt contagious?

sic transit gloria · June 8, 2007

Are plants that have Fusarium Wilt contagious, or is it just the soil that is carrying the fungi that is the vector?

**nctomatoman** · June 8, 2007

That's a really good question...and there are quite a few variables that make it hard to answer. I've not seen it jump to neighboring plants, but then again, because most OPs have not been tested for F tolerance, it is impossible to say if it hasn't jumped because it doesn't, or because the neighboring plants have some tolerance. However, root entry is the main vector, so if the soil has it, it will spread that way. I also wonder if insects chewing on infected plants can then infect the next plants that they chew on.

I don't really major in tomato diseases, so you will likely get more informed responses here than I supplied.

June 8, 2007	#1
sic transit gloria Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KS 5b/6a Posts: 249	Fusarium Wilt contagious? Are plants that have Fusarium Wilt contagious, or is it just the soil that is carrying the fungi that is the vector?

June 8, 2007	#2
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	That's a really good question...and there are quite a few variables that make it hard to answer. I've not seen it jump to neighboring plants, but then again, because most OPs have not been tested for F tolerance, it is impossible to say if it hasn't jumped because it doesn't, or because the neighboring plants have some tolerance. However, root entry is the main vector, so if the soil has it, it will spread that way. I also wonder if insects chewing on infected plants can then infect the next plants that they chew on. I don't really major in tomato diseases, so you will likely get more informed responses here than I supplied. __________________ Craig