NWA Research Managing Fusarium Wilt Grant Program
Led by Rahul Kumar, Shaker Kousik and Raghupathy Karthikeyan of Clemson University .
NWA Priority area: Fusarium wilt of watermelon Timeline: Feb. 1, 2025 to Jan. 31, 2026
Brief Layman Summary: Miravis Prime and Proline 480 SC drench were the most effective
fungicides for managing Fusarium wilt on two watermelon cultivars, Super seedless and Sugar
Baby that were planted in heavily Fusarium wilt infested soil in pots. Five fungicides either
alone or in various combinations for a total of fifteen different treatments were applied as
drench after transplanting the seedlings followed by a drench two weeks later.
Miravis Prime and Proline 480 SC significantly reduced Fusarium wilt when applied alone or in
combinations compared to untreated control and other fungicides. However, Proline 480SC
did tend to stunt seedlings and we plan to study this further to create an appropriate dose for
seedling drench. Further studies in Fusarium-wilt infested fields with a few specific fungicide
combinations will be needed to make appropriate recommendations.
Read More: