Wilting on eggplants

Question: Hello and thank you, two of my eggplants have been discolored and wilting for 3-4 weeks now.
They are two different varieties, but there is a completely unaffected plant right next to them that is the same variety as one of the sick ones.
They have not died and have continued to produce fruit the entire time.
I have removed the affected leaves and stems, sterilizing my pruning shears with alcohol during and after the process, but the plants continue to wilt.
Any help would be appreciated.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 06, 2024, 8:12 PM EDT
response: Unable to open. Resend please as an email.  On 09/06/2024 8:01 AM EDT Ask Extension wrote:          Mary Fowler, A question assigned to your group, #0153585 has presently gone unanswered.  Please try to respond or reassign the question at your earliest opportunity. To view or respond to the question, please login. You're receiving this notice because the question is assigned a group of which you're a member.     This message was sent by Ask Extension. If you need help, please visit https://askhelp.extension.org/.

responder: Thank you for your question!   Laura S.      Michigan State University Extension Advanced Master Gardener Volunteer You may also contact the toll free MSU Extension lawn and garden hotline at 1-888-678-3464 with your gardening questions or visit www.migarden.msu.edu for Smart Gardening resources. Replied September 07, 2024, 10:46 AM EDT
response: Hello Stephen, Ask Extension administration is working on getting you an answer- there was a technical difficulty we are correcting . Thank you for your patience. Laura S. Ask Extension administration

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 07, 2024, 10:55 AM EDT
response: Thank you!I’m so happy you’re there for us!On Sat, Sep 7, 2024 at 10:46 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 07, 2024, 6:27 PM EDT
response: I just got the email last night.  On 09/07/2024 10:46 AM EDT Ask Extension wrote:

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 07, 2024, 6:39 PM EDT
response: Ok, thanks.On Sat, Sep 7, 2024 at 6:27 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Edward A.  Replied September 07, 2024, 9:41 PM EDT
response: Hello Stephen, The curling and discoloration of the leaves along with the fruit continuing to develop are all consistent with Verticillium wilt. The difficulty with the diagnosis is the one plant still being unaffected. I would expect all plants to be equally infected. Verticillium wilt is systemic and eventually the plant will decline and die. Has the third plant shown any signs yet, or is it still healthy? Verticillium is a soil born pathogen and is long lived in the soil. If you have had it once, you are likely to see continued infection on eggplant in future years.  You may want to send a sample to the MSU Diagnostic Laboratory to verify the pathogen. If it is verticillium wilt, you may want to refrain from growing eggplant and tomatoes in that area for several years. If you continue to grow eggplant and you try tomatoes, look for a hybrid that verticillium tolerance. The MSU Diagnostic Laboratory information and fee structure can be found at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/ The following site contains information about how to take a good sample: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/submit-samples/ Here is some good information on diseases of eggplant and verticillium wilt: https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/vegetable/eggplant/leaveswilted.html Hope this helps.