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Verticillium wilt is a fatal disease that affects a wide range of vegetable crops. The pathogen survives in the soil as dormant microsclerotia (small survival bodies) and favors cool to moderate weather conditions. Plant debris can serve as an overwintering site for these fungi. Both Verticillium species cause nearly the same symptoms.

Initial symptoms of Verticillium wilt include the sudden yellowing of foliage that typically appears on one side of leaves. Generally, older leaves are affected first. The symptoms progress up the plant; eventually the entire plant becomes affected and dies.

Peeling away the outer layers of affected stems or branches may reveal a brown streak in the vascular tissue. Infected plants may exhibit wilting during the hottest part of the day, but can recover at night.