Fusarium crown rot on asparagus

Fusarium is a fungus that can infect asparagus. The fungus can live in the soil indefinitely.

Symptoms:

• Shriveled and rotting spears before or after emergence in spring.
• Ferns (spears that have been allowed to develop and grow) will be stunted, yellow to brown in colour.
• As the disease progresses, crown vigour declines: fewer spear/ferns appear and eventually crowns die.
• Infected crowns and stems will have a reddish-brown discolouration when cut open.
• The damage usually appears in one section of the asparagus patch (usually the area that is the wettest) and eventually spreads throughout the entire patch.

• There is no cure for Fusarium crown rot in asparagus.
• Do not replant into an area that you know has a history of Fusarium crown rot as the disease can live in the soil indefinitely.
• When planting a new bed, use sterilized seeds as the fungus can live on seeds. Otherwise, purchase plants from a reputable greenhouse or nursery.
• Fusarium crown rot can also be spread on cutting knives moving from infected spears to non-infected spears. When harvesting from an infected patch, disinfect cutting knives with a dilute bleach solution or an alcohol base cleaner in between each cut.