A wilt of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. edulis Sims) caused by Fusarium solani and Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica

Abstract

A wilt of purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. edulis Sims) is widespread in Zimbabwe. Fusarium solani was consistently isolated from discoloured vascular tissue of plants obtained from several farms. All isolates of the fungus were pathogenic. The possible role of Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica in the wilt disease was investigated because it was frequently isolated from the stem base of plants affected by passion fruit wilt and from dying seedlings. Plants inoculated with F. solani slowly succumbed to the wilt, whereas those infected with a mixture of F. solani and P. nicotianae v. parasitica or P. nicotianae v. parasitica alone died rapidly. Planting stock is grown from seed of P. edulis which is very susceptible to both pathogens. Red passion fruit (Passiflora caerulea) is resistant to both pathogens and should be considered as an alternative rootstock.

Keywords:

• Passion fruit wilt
• Fusarium solani
• Phytophthora nicotianae v. parasitica
• Zimbabwe