EN 
IT 
ES 
FR Fusarium represents one of the most widespread and complex fungal issues to manage in agriculture. Several species belonging to the genus Fusarium can affect numerous horticultural, cereal, floricultural, and arboricultural crops, causing alterations to the root and vascular systems that can compromise plant development and productivity.
One of the most critical aspects is the ability of these microorganisms to persist in the soil and in plant residues. For this reason, when environmental conditions become favourable, the problem can reoccur even in subsequent crop cycles.
For us at MS Biotech, the management of Fusarium must start above all with prevention and rhizosphere health, promoting a biologically active root environment and using beneficial microorganisms capable of early colonisation of the substrate.
Let's therefore look at what Fusarium is, what the main symptoms are, and what strategies we can adopt to limit its impact on crops.
What is Fusarium?
Fusarium is a genus comprising numerous fungal species present naturally in the soil. Some of these can act as plant pathogens and cause different diseases, generally referred to as fusariosis.
Depending on the Fusarium species and the crop affected, the infection can involve roots, the root collar, vascular tissues and other plant organs.
One of the best-known manifestations is vascular wilt: the fungus colonises the plant's conducting tissues, interfering with the normal transport of water and nutrients.
The consequence is a progressive loss of vigour which, in the most severe situations, can lead to the plant drying out.
What are the symptoms of Fusarium in plants?
Quickly recognising Fusarium symptoms is important, even if a certain diagnosis is not always possible through the observation of the aerial part alone.
The main signs that we can encounter are:
- progressive yellowing of the leaves;
- loss of turgor and wilting;
- Slowed growth;
- uneven crop development;
- root system or collar disorders and rot;
- browning of the vascular tissues;
- progressive dieback of the plant;
- reduction in production.
In some cases the symptoms may initially affect only one part of the plant before progressively spreading.
The problem is that many of these signs can be confused with water stress, nutritional deficiencies or other root pathologies. When doubts exist, a correct agronomic diagnosis and, if necessary, specific analyses allow the cause to be identified with greater precision.
Why does fusarium wilt develop?
The appearance of Fusarium depends on the interaction between the presence of the pathogen, crop susceptibility and environmental conditions.
The fungus can survive in the soil and in plant debris and find favourable conditions when the balance of the crop is compromised.
Among the factors that can favour the problem are water stagnation, insufficient drainage, temperatures favourable to the development of the pathogen, root stress, the presence of infected plant residues and particularly susceptible crop rotations.
Even a plant already weakened by environmental or nutritional stress may be less efficient at responding to the pressure of harmful microorganisms.
For this reason, we must not consider Fusarium as an isolated problem: the overall health of the soil and the root system plays a fundamental role.
Why is Fusarium difficult to manage?
One of the main problems is the ability of some Fusarium species to persist for a long time in the growing environment.
Intervening only when we observe severely compromised plants often means acting when root or vascular damage is already advanced.
Hence the importance of Fusarium prevention.
The objective is to reduce the conditions favourable to the development of the problem and, at the same time, create a rhizosphere environment in which the plant can develop rapidly and benefit from the presence of useful microorganisms.
How to prevent Fusarium in crops
There is no single practice capable of resolving every situation. The most effective strategy must be integrated and adapted to the crop and the characteristics of the farm.
Good prevention starts with agronomic management.
It is important to use healthy plant material, encourage good soil drainage, avoid waterlogging and properly manage irrigation and nutrition.
Crop rotation can also represent a useful tool, especially by avoiding, where possible, repeated successions of crops susceptible to the same pathogens.
Another key element concerns the management of potentially contaminated crop residues.
Alongside these practices, we can work directly on the root ecosystem through the use of beneficial microorganisms, including those belonging to the Trichoderma genus.
Trichoderma and rhizosphere health
Trichoderma includes fungal species widely used in agriculture for their ability to rapidly colonise the substrate and interact with the root environment. We have already explored the general characteristics of this microorganism in our article “Trichoderma: an important help for plants”.
Early colonisation of the rhizosphere makes it possible to occupy space and utilise resources in the growing environment, helping to create conditions that are less favourable for the development of certain harmful microorganisms.
Trichoderma can also produce biologically active substances and interact with plant physiology, promoting the activation of its natural defence responses.
For best results, it is particularly advantageous to introduce these microorganisms during the early stages of crop development, when the root system is forming and rhizosphere colonisation can occur early on.
Tricotech: the MS Biotech solution based on Trichoderma
Starting from this principle, we have developed Tricotech, formulated from our Microtech line intended for root use.
Tricotech contains Trichoderma sp. with a concentration of 1×10⁸ CFU/g, together with Glomus spp. mycorrhizae and rhizosphere bacteria.
The ability of Trichoderma to colonise the growing substrate early and produce biologically active substances helps to support the plant's natural defences against various harmful microorganisms, including Fusarium, Pythium, Sclerotinia, Rhizoctonia and Verticillium.
Because of this, Tricotech is particularly suitable in the early stages of crop development, such as pre- and post-transplanting, post-planting and vegetative recovery.
On vegetable and ornamental crops, it can be used as early as pre-transplanting by dipping or drenching the blocks and plug trays, and subsequently through fertigation during the crop cycle.
The aim is to intervene early on the rhizosphere, encouraging the establishment of beneficial microorganisms before any stress conditions become significant.
Prevention means intervening before damage occurs
When we talk about Fusarium, this concept is particularly important.
Waiting for the appearance of widespread wilting or severe root damage inevitably reduces the chances of fully preserving the productive potential of the crop.
Because of this, we prefer an approach that starts with the health of the root system.
Properly managed soil, balanced irrigation, appropriate agronomic practices and the early use of beneficial microorganisms can help to create a more balanced root system that is better prepared to cope with biotic pressures.
Conclusions
Fusarium in crops can represent a serious threat to productivity, especially when it manages to establish itself in the root system and vascular tissues.
Recognising the symptoms is important, but even more important is taking preventive action.
At MS Biotech, we focus on the biological management of the rhizosphere and the use of selected microorganisms. With Tricotech, we offer a formulation based on Trichoderma, mycorrhizae and rhizosphere bacteria designed to early colonise the root environment, support the plant's natural defences and contribute to the management of stresses associated with harmful microorganisms such as Fusarium.
Prevention starts at the roots: creating a favourable environment for crop development right from the early stages means building the foundations for more balanced plants and more efficient production.
Fusarium FAQ
What is Fusarium in plants?
Fusarium is a genus of fungi that includes several species capable of causing diseases in crops. Some can affect roots and vascular tissues, causing symptoms such as yellowing, wilting, stunted growth and drying out.
How to recognise a plant affected by Fusarium?
Among the most common symptoms are yellowing of the leaves, wilting, stunted growth, root abnormalities and browning of the vascular tissues. Since these symptoms can also be caused by other issues, specific analyses may be necessary for a definitive diagnosis.
How to prevent Fusarium in the soil?
Prevention may include crop rotation, the use of healthy plant material, proper irrigation and drainage management, crop residue management, and strategies dedicated to rhizosphere health. The use of beneficial microorganisms can be integrated into this approach.
What is the use of Trichoderma against Fusarium?
Trichoderma rapidly colonises the substrate and interacts with the root environment. It can contribute to biological competition in the rhizosphere and stimulate the plant's natural defences. For this reason, it is used within preventive strategies against various harmful microorganisms.
When should you use Tricotech?
Tricotech It is particularly suitable in the early stages of crop development, such as pre/post-transplanting, post-planting or vegetative recovery. The objective is to promote early colonisation of the root environment. Methods, dosages and frequency must be defined according to the crop and following the technical instructions of the product.
