bacterialcritical severity
Bacterial Wilt
Ralstonia solanacearum
How to Identify
âš Sudden wilting despite adequate water
âš Vascular tissue browning (visible in cut stem)
⚠No yellowing before wilt — distinguishing feature
Peak season: Warm, humid conditions
3-Tier Organic Treatment Ladder
Always start with Tier 1. Move to higher tiers only if lower tiers fail. This approach preserves beneficial insects and keeps costs low.
1
Tier 1: Preventive
Yellow sticky traps
When: Hang at crop height, 1 per 5 m²
Ladybird beetles protection
When: Never spray when ladybirds present — they eat 400 aphids/day
Use resistant varieties
When: At variety selection
Raised bed planting with good drainage
When: At field preparation
2
Tier 2: Early Treatment
Neem seed kernel extract 5%
When: Spray when population exceeds 10/leaf
Soap solution 2%
When: Insecticidal soap spray on colonies
Bacillus subtilis soil drench
When: Preventive at planting
3
Tier 3: Emergency Intervention
Tobacco decoction 2%
When: Severe infestation, spray in evening
Prevention — Best Long-term Strategy
✓Crop rotation with non-host crops 3+ years
✓Soil solarization before planting
✓Avoid waterlogging