DISEASES OF ALFALFA - FUSARIUM WILT

A disease that can be confused with Verticillium wilt is Fusarium wilt. Symptoms of both diseases are very similar. In general however, vascular discoloration (see arrow in photo) of plants infected by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. medicaginis (the causal fungus of Fusarium wilt) is more extensive than in those infected by Verticillium albo-atrum.

This photo shows discoloration in the vascular system of a plant with Fusarium wilt (right) compared to the vascular system of a healthy plant (left).