Fusarium crown rot strikes at the root and wreaks havoc on the entire root system. lycopersici. While that strain may exist in the soil, it will only impact tomatoes. Fusarium Root Rot Identification and Habitat. Most tomato varieties with resistance to Fusarium crown rot are indeterminate. Other plants are immune to that strain, but not to all other fusarium oxysporium. It is extremely widespread in places with sandy, acidic soil. Fusarium oxysporium can also cause basal rot in a number of plants. For instance, fusarium wilt of tomato is caused by Fusarium oxysporium sp. August 15, 2018 Jerry. Growers who plant tomatoes in bags or pots in a high tunnel instead of in the soil should avoid Fusarium crown rot since the fungus survives in the soil. Fusarium infections cause the tomato plant’s foliage to yellow and wilt as the plant dies. Tomato Fusarium Crown Rot. Fusarium Crown and Root Rot on Tomato SIGNS & SYMPTOMS: • Symptoms on tomato plants first appear as yellowing of the oldest leaves about the time that fruit is nearing maturity. Fusarium crown and root rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. The use of varieties resistant to Fusarium crown and root rot is generally the most effective way to control this disease. Southern Florida, for example, is much more likely to experience it than Colorado. Check with your seed representative or seed catalog for tomato varieties with resistance to Fusarium crown rot. Soil steaming in combination with fungicide drenches may also reduce losses. Root Rot Diseases. This rot will destroy the root system. It is often hard to diagnose this disease as it is sometimes present at the same time as other soil borne fungi. • Symptoms progress up the plant as the yellowed leaves turn brown (Figure 4). Identification. radicis‐lycopersici was found in the UK in 1988 and 1989 mainly in rockwool‐grown tomato crops. Fusarium and phytophthora root rot are the tomato plant’s most common rot diseases.