Is Verticillium wilt harmful to human health?

Treatment for verticillium wilt has an emphasis only on the health of the plant since it does not pose any risk for humans to be infected with the fungus. Gardeners, however, are often unintentional carriers of the fungus. I have traced outbreaks to items, such as contaminated gloves and shovels, that move infected microsclerotia from garden to garden. Your protective gear needs the same attention to decontamination, regardless of the amount of care you provide your plants.

Microsclerotia can "hitchhike" on wheelbarrows and muddy boots. I had a client who unwittingly spread Verticillium throughout three garden beds from just one trowel. Today I have started suggesting that tools be designated to all plants per family...tape the handles to a distinct color to help with remembering which tools are HIGH risk and which tools are healthy.

In the environment, work clothes are a carrier for fungi. Spore retention is 40% higher in a cotton glove vs. nitrile. Upon identifying an outbreak traced to tools appropriated by the community as the source, our garden club required disposable coveralls specific to infected areas in the garden. Laundering reusable materials separately - never with household linens.

Get rid of infected debris in a sealed bag marked with 'biohazard'. Municipal compost generally does not have hours of sustained high heat to kill microsclerotia. I know that landfills can turn away infested loads of material (check with local regulatory conditions before assuming that is not true). Burning is the most reliable method of destruction, However, burning in incinerators regulated by the EPA for air emissions is preferable.

Read the full article: Verticillium Wilt Treatment: Complete Management Guide