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Verticellum Wilt #876286

Asked July 08, 2024, 9:37 AM EDT

I believe my eggplants are suffering from verticellum Wilt. It started with one plant and has it spread to all six. They are well watered and mulched, but the lower leaves are developing yellow patches with brown crisp areas. The white in the photos is Kaolin clay. I had seen a photo of the cross-section of a plant with verticellum wilt so I included a photo of the cross section of one of the eggplants. I also gave them some biotone when I transplanted them but haven't fertilized since.

York County Pennsylvania

Expert Response

Abbey:  Thanks for your question.  From your pictures, it does look like your plants may be suffering from verticillium wilt.  You should confirm this by sending samples to the Penn State Plant Disease Clinic (https://plantpath.psu.edu).  This is a free service and they can provide a definitive diagnosis.  If this is verticillium wilt, there is no cure.  The recommendation is to remove the plants and dispose of in the trash (not the compost).  Also, as the fungus can persist in the soil for many years, it is advisable to solarize the area to reduce concentrations.  Covering the area where the plants were with plastic (clear is best but black will do) and letting it bake in the summer sun for a couple of months may reduce concentrations sufficiently to allow planting the area next year with resistant crops.  I wouldn't plant anything in the nightshade family (tomatoes, eggplant and potatoes, or other particularly sensitive species) in this spot for at least a couple of years.  It will also help next year to select seeds or plants that are resistant to this disease.  I have attached a Fact Sheet with additional information.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

 
PA Virginia Replied July 15, 2024, 1:13 PM EDT

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