Control measures

Verticillium wilt remains marginal in temperate climates. Overall control measures for soil- borne pests and pathogens are effective in preventing verticillium wilt. They involve:

• a minimum rotation period of three years, without Solanaceae crops;
• the control of groundkeepers;
• the use of certified healthy seed tubers;
• the application of adequate fertilisation and irrigation;
• when authorised, a fungicide treatment can be applied to the soil prior to planting.

In specific environments with a high disease pressure due to favourable warm climatic conditions, soil chemical control and the choice of less susceptible cultivars (when available) might be necessary to limit yield losses due to verticillium wilt.