Characterization and pathogenicity of Fusarium spp. isolates causing erva-mate root-rot

Abstract

One of the main diseases of erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.), in nursery and mainly in plantations, is the root-rot, caused by Fusarium sp. The disease control depends on correct diagnosis of causal agent and molecular and morphological characteristics allow diagnosing the pathogen. This work aims to determine morphological and molecular characteristics of six Fusarium spp. isolates from diseased erva-mate plantations. In order to that, pure colonies grown on PDA and FCA environment were analyzed in relation to form and structure, under optical and stereoscopic microscope. The DNA extraction of each isolated was performed from mycelium produced on PD liquid medium by CTAB method. The samples of DNA genomic were submitted to Polymerase Chain Reaction with the universal primers ITS1 and ITS4 and the final product was sequenced. Among the Fusarium spp. isolates analyzed two species were found: F. solani and F. oxysporum, all pathogenic and with low genetic variability within species.