Wilt disease of cumin, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cumini, is a serious soil- and seed-borne disease leading to significant yield losses, ranging from 7% to 45%. This disease impacts cumin crops at various growth stages, particularly in poorly managed or early-sown fields. Effective management strategies are crucial to minimize its impact.

1. Symptoms

• Wilting and drying of seedlings.
• Brown discoloration when stems are cut longitudinally.
• Patches of affected plants in fields drying prematurely.
• Symptoms typically appear in late December when the crop is one month old.

2. Disease Cycle

• Primary Infection: Pathogen survives as mycelium and chlamydospores in soil and plant debris.
• Secondary Spread: Water, rain splashes, wind, and farming operations spread the disease.
• Favorable Conditions: Soil temperature of 12.5–14°C and high humidity.

3. Management Strategies

A. Cultural Practices

• Use well-drained fields and avoid water stagnation.
• Rotate crops with wheat, mustard, or sorghum to break the disease cycle.
• Practice summer plowing and soil solarization to destroy resting spores.

B. Seed Treatment

• Use healthy, disease-free seeds treated with fungicides or biocontrol agents like Trichoderma harzianum.

C. Fertilizer Management

• Prefer organic fertilizers and increase potassium application to reduce disease incidence.

D. Biological Control

• Use antagonistic microbes like T. harzianum, Aspergillus flavus, and Bacillus spp. to suppress the pathogen.

E. Resistant Varieties

• Grow resistant or tolerant cumin varieties.

4. Preventive Measures

• Avoid early sowing to reduce disease severity.
• Water crops sparingly to prevent overwatering.
• Combine cultural, biological, and chemical measures for effective management.

5. Conclusion

Integrated disease management practices, including crop rotation, biocontrol, seed treatment, and proper field management, are essential to combat cumin wilt effectively. These strategies ensure sustainable production and minimize losses.