white mycelium forming at soil level
Southern wilt most often occurs at the stem line of any aged plants but can effect an plant parts touching the ground. It can survive year in the soil before becoming active when favorable conditions of aerobic, moist and high temperatures are present.
Because it survives so long in the soil it can be dificult to control. Commercially fumigation is used. Fields can be rotated with grass and legume crops to reduce inoculum pressure and some fungicides have been effective when diseases pressure is low. Calcium and ammonium based fertilizer applications have also helped in low disease pressure situations. Home gardeners can prevent stems from rotting by wraping aluminum foil strips around the stem at the soil level when transplanting.
