Disease severity and incidence increase with the presence of nematodes. The bacterium can survive in dry plant tissue or seed for at least 10 years and can be disseminated over long distances in seed and dry hay. However populations of the organism in the soil decline quickly when infected plant residue decomposes. Bacterial wilt can be spread by surface water, tillage, mowing, and harvesting equipment. Plants with bacterial wilt are prone to winter kill.
Resistant cultivars keep the disease under control.
If you discover the disease in a susceptible cultivar, limit disease spread by mowing new stands before old stands. Also, do not mow wet plants.