ABSTRACT
Investigations were conducted in Tanzania to assess factors affecting rapid spread of Fusarium wilt disease in cotton fields. The main areas of this study were the Mara and Mwanza regions where this Fusarium wilt disease is becoming increasingly important. Fusarium wilt disease is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum. Interviews were conducted with farmers to assess their understanding of the disease and soil samples were taken from each field surveyed. Field surveys were complemented by glass house and field experiments. Farmers in both regions showed little perception of this disease. Fusarium wilt incidence ranged 0-50%. Mixing of cotton seed issues and continuous planting of cotton seeds in contaminated soils were observed to spread Fusarium wilt disease. Accumulation of infected crop residues was also observed to spread the disease. Nematodes, particularly Meloidogyne and Tylenchus, were found to be associated with the disease. Fusarium wilt is most frequently found in sandy soils.

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