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Infection of lucerne (Medicago sativa) by Fusarium species
Author(s) -
PEGG G. F.,
PARRY D. W.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1983.tb02739.x
Subject(s) - biology , medicago sativa , fusarium , verticillium , medicago , fusarium oxysporum , pathogenicity , agronomy , horticulture , botany , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , gene
SUMMARY A limited field survey of lucerne crops on four Kent farms showed infection by Fusarium species to be widespread. Plants selected at random were for the most part free from aerial symptoms, but 90–100% showed browning of the lower stem and tap root. Fusarium avenaceum was most commonly isolated exceeding Verticillium albo‐atrum in four out of six sites. Other species isolated included F. culmorum, F. equiseti, F. graminearum, F. oxysporum, F. solani and F. tabacinum. Phoma medicaginis and Cylindrocarpon destructans were also found in roots and stems. Isolates of F. avenaceum were either pathogenic or non‐pathogenic on a range of lucerne cultivars, some reducing leaf area and shoot dry weight. One isolate showed differential pathogenicity to cvs Europe, Vertus, Sabilt and Dupuits. No evidence was found to suggest that natural infection by Fusarium spp. was limiting to growth. The possible significance of lucerne as a reservoir for cereal fusaria is discussed.