What is the most damaging wilt disease on cotton?

The most damaging wilt disease on cotton is Verticillium wilt. This disease is caused by the fungus Verticillium dahliae, which can invade the cotton plants' vascular system, leading to significant yield losses. Verticillium wilt shows symptoms such as yellowing of leaves, wilting, stunted growth, and premature plant death. It specifically affects cotton because the plant is susceptible to this pathogen, especially during periods of stress such as drought or high temperatures.

Understanding Verticillium wilt is crucial for managing cotton crops effectively, as the disease can persist in the soil for several years, complicating crop rotation strategies. Effective management practices may include selecting resistant cotton varieties, implementing crop rotation with non-host crops, and monitoring soil health.

The other diseases listed do impact cotton but do not match the severity and economic impact of Verticillium wilt. For example, Fusarium wilt is caused by a different fungus and, while also harmful, generally has a less severe impact on cotton yield compared to Verticillium wilt. The other options listed are not recognized as significant wilt diseases affecting cotton in the same way, making Verticillium wilt the clear choice as the most damaging.