Molecular identification of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) causing Fusarium wilt disease of Tieu hong banana cultivar in the Red River Delta of Vietnam

Abstract

The Red River Delta is one of primary banana-producing regions in Vietnam, and it has been afflicted by Fusarium wilt disease, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc). This study aimed to identify Foc strains from banana-diseased samples collected from six different provinces in this region. Foc’s identity was confirmed based on morphological characteristics, artificial inoculation on the Tieu hong banana cultivar, and through DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of PCR products amplified by race-specific primer pairs (Foc-1/Foc-2, Foc TR4-F/FocTR4-R). Ten Foc TR4 strains were identified, including VP1(2), VP1(5), and VP2(6) strains were found in Vinh Phuc Province, ML02.2 strain in Ha Noi City, MS1T2 strain in Hung Yen province, BV03 and BV06 strains in Hai Phong City, and QG1(R), QG4(T), QH2(R) strains in Thai Binh province. This discovery underscores the importance of appropriately identifying causal pathogens for integrated pest management of Fusarium wilt disease in the Red River Delta.

Keywords:

• Tieu hong banana
• fungus
• Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc)
• molecular identification
• fusarium wilt disease

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research is part of a potential Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development project, code DTTN13/2021.