Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

PATHOGENIC VARIABILITY IN FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM F.SP.CARTHAMI CAUSING WILT OF SAFFLOWER

Sunita J. Waghmare, V.V. Datar and D.R. Wagh

Abstract

Variability among nineteen isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.carthami (FOC) collected from different locations of Marathwada region was investigated in respect of pathogenicity. Isolates of FOC-12 and FOC-39 were most virulent while FOC-30, FOC-18 and FOC-35 were least virulent. On the basis of reaction on five cultivars, 19 isolates of FOC were grouped in four pathotypes, Race I, virulent on two cultivars that is Nira and Manjira, Race II virulent on Nira, Manjira and PBNS-40, Race III virulent on Nira, Manjira, A-1 and PBNS-40 and Race IV virulent on all five cultivars.