Fusarium Root Rot

Infected plants appear stunted and off-color early in the growing season, with slow or little growth even under adequate watering. If you dig carefully, you'll find roots discolored and partially decayed, lacking the crisp white appearance of healthy roots. Wilting may intensify during warm days despite adequate soil moisture. The disease spreads gradually through soil, so problems often appear in the same spot each season.

Fusarium root rot thrives in poorly drained soils and persists in soil long after infected plants are removed. Rotating away from susceptible crops for five to six years is your most reliable control; alternatively, select resistant varieties such as 'Aurora', 'Black Turtle', 'NW-59', and others developed for the region. Plant in well-drained soil, hill soil around the base to encourage secondary rooting, and avoid stress from irregular water or nutrient imbalance. Remove infected plant debris entirely from the garden to reduce the pathogen load.