Morphological, Pathogenic, Genetic And Molecular Variabilities Of Fusarium Spp., The Pathogens Of Asparagus Crown And Root Rot In Malaysia And Brunei Darussalam
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Date
2006-04
Authors
Al-Amodi, Mohamed Othman Saeed
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is becoming more important in South
East Asia (SEA) and quickly becoming a preferred vegetable. All varieties
planted throughout SEA have been and now are still facing the most destructive
disease i.e. asparagus crown and root rot. The main aim of the thesis was to
collect and isolate Fusarium spp. from asparagus plants showing crown and
root rot symptoms and their soils in Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam. The other
objectives were to evaluate pathogenicity and genetic diversity within the
Fusarium spp. and their variability using peR-based RAPD.
A total of 110 isolates comprising five species of Fusarium have been
isolated from six sampling areas in Malaysia and one in Brunei Darussalam.
The five species identified were F. proliferatum, F. oxysporum, F. solani, F.
semitectum and F. /ongipes, based on morphological characteristics. F.
proliteretum and F. oxysporum represented the highest percentage (830/0).
Pathogenicity tests of F. proiiteretum and F. oxysporum isolates by inoculating
healthy asparagus seedlings var. UC157 in the greenhouse confirmed that all
isolates tested were pathogenic. The typical symptoms were initially observed
as yellowing of leaves and branches. Infected plants were stunted with reddishbrown
discoloration and shrivelled roots. Sliced crowns and stems clearly
showed reddish-brown discolorations of the infected tissues. Heavily infected
plants collapsed and died.
Description
Keywords
Natural history