FCRR– Fusarium Crown & Root Rot
Scientific Name: Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. asparagi, Fusarium proliferatum, and Fusarium moniliforme
Type: Fungus
Fusarium Crown & Root Rot is a devastating world-wide soil borne disease that affects the growth of asparagus and tomatoes. The disease affects the roots. Symptoms include wilting, stunting, yellowing, and dry rot of the crowns. Often the crown turns a brown color when it is infected with the disease and then rapidly dies off. Once the plant is infected, it is extremely difficult to manage the disease once the fungus is established in the field. Plan on using a 5 year crop rotation and avoid planting asparagus in the same location, year after year as the disease can survive in the soil for a long time. The best option is to use disease resistant varieties.