FUSARIUM WILT

also called Yellows, widespread plant disease caused by many forms of the soil-inhabiting fungus Fusarium oxysporum. Several hundred plant species are susceptible at soil temperatures above 75 F (24 C). Infected plants are usually stunted; their leaves turn pale green to golden yellow and later wilt, wither, die, and drop off progressively upward from the stem base. Dark streaks occur in vascular tissue (xylem) of the roots and lower stem, while roots may decay and seedlings sometimes wilt and die. Fusaria can live indefinitely in soil without access to living host plants.