Abstract

MORPHOLOGICAL, PATHOGENIC AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM CAUSING DRY ROOT ROT OF CHICKPEA FROM SANGLI DISTRICT OF MAHARASHTRA STATE

Dr. Yogesh Suresh Andoji* and Dr. Indrajeet Ashok Samant

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Abstract

Fusarium dry root rot of chickpea is caused by Fusarium spp. Ten isolates of Fusarium were isolated from chickpea growing areas of Sangli district to study the cultural and morphological characters of Fusarium sp. From the survey, it was found that the highest PDI was recorded in Kavalapur 1 with 52.63%. The mycelial diameter of ten isolates was ranged from 6.2 to 9.0 cm at seven days of incubation on PDA. The highest colony diameter of 9.0cm was observed in FO 2 and FO 7 followed by FO5, FO8, FO9, FO4, FO6, FO10 and FO3. Minimum colony diameter was observed in FO1 with 6.1cm. Different media studies have shown that Fusarium oxysporum could grow well in PDA and PSA. All ten isolates have produced micro, macroconidia and chlamydospores. The size (μm) of microconidia ranged from (9.2- 11.8) x (3.2-4.6) and macroconidia is (15.7-24.4) x (3.8 – 5.0) and they are hyaline in color. There are 2-4 septations in macroconidia. Macroconidia are sickle shaped with pointed tips and microconidia are elongated oval in shape. Chlamydospores were seen on intercalary, terminal portion of mycelium and oval in shape. PCR amplification with universal primers of ITS1 and ITS4 yielded approximately at 560 bp. Sequencing of ITS regions followed by BLAST search confirmed the associated fungus as Fusarium oxysporum.

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