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Title: DIVERSITY IN FUSARIUM SPECIES ASSOCIATED WITH SUGAR BEET DISEASE IN THE FIELD.

Author
item Hanson, Linda
item Hill, Amy
item Panella, Leonard

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2005
Publication Date: 6/30/2005
Citation: Hanson, L.E., Hill, A.L., Panella, L.W. 2005. Diversity in Fusarium species associated with sugar beet disease in the field. Phytopathology. 95:S40 (supplement). (abstract)

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: We have identified at least five Fusarium species that can cause Fusarium yellows of sugar beet, although the primary causal agent is F. oxysporum f. sp. betae (FOB). In addition, Fusarium species can cause sugar beet root rot or seedling damping-off. Some strains of FOB also infect spinach and some weed species, so FOB may have a less restricted host range than is usually reported for formae speciales. We investigated the variability in strains of F. oxysporum and other Fusarium species isolated from sugar beets from different states in terms of their pathogenicity and virulence on sugar beet in greenhouse tests and their genetic variability. From a total of 173 isolates, 35 were pathogenic on sugar beets. FOB was the primary pathogen associated with yellows, with other species less common. Three species, F. oxysporum, F. solani, and F. culmorum were associated with root rot of sugar beet. F. graminearum also was isolated from beets with external yellows symptoms that had rotting around the veins in the roots. Additional isolates are being identified and tested for pathogenicity.