Cultural and Rainfall Factors Involved in Disease Development of Fusarium Wilt of Sweet Potato

Abstract

Environmental factors such as soil moisture, land management, and weather conditions affecting Fusarium wilt of sweet potato were investigated in major sweet potato cultivation regions in Korea. Fusarium wilt occurred mainly in reclaimed terracing lands, which are flattened and located in hilly to mountainous areas at the base of the mountain, in early seasonal cultivation regions. Disease severity was lower in reclaimed fields with natural slope. The development of Fusarium wilt in the fields was highly correlated with precipitation during planting period (r=-0.96**). Fusarium wilt was more severe in fields with less than 20 cm of available soil depth than in fields with over 20 cm of available soil depth. Greenhouse studies were consistent with field studies that less soil moisture content caused severe Fusarium wilt of sweet potato. These results indicate that low rainfall and moisture of soil with low effective soil depth during planting period are important environmental factors influencing the development of Fusarium wilt.