Occurrence, identification and pathogenicity of Fusarium species associated with guava wilt disease in India

ABSTRACT

The objective of the study was to identify and characterise Fusarium species associated with guava wilt disease. A total of 50 root and soil samples were collected from Guava orchards located in different regions of India. Fusarium species were isolated, identified and categorised into 4 distinct species i.e. Fusarium oxysporum (44.31%), F. solani (36.36%), F. verticillioides (12.5%) & F. chlamydosporum (6.81%) based on the cultural characters and microscopic observations. Translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF-1α) gene fragment of 650 bp was sequenced for 32 representative isolates and they were confirmed as F. oxysporum f. sp. psidii, F. verticillioides, F. chlamydosporum & F. falciforme. All four species were tested individually for pathogenicity assays but, only F. oxysporum f. sp. psidii & F. falciforme confirmed with pathogenicity and proved as causal organisms of guava wilt disease in India. F. falciforme is being reported first time in India as a causal organism of guava wilt.

KEYWORDS:

• Fusarium spp.
• guava wilt
• molecular identification
• pathogenicity
• TEF-1α gene

Acknowledgements

We are thankful to Head, Division of plant pathology, Indian Agriculture Research Institute for their encouragement and support. We gratefully acknowledged the Indian Council of Agricultural Research for Financial support and providing necessary facilities.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conficts of interest associated with this manuscript.

Data availability statement

The data that support the finding of this study are available from the corresponding author upon responsible request.