Spatial Distribution, Isolation, and Characterization of Morphological Variants of the Fusarium Wilt Pathogen in Brinjal Across Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, India
Mule Harindra Reddy *
Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu - 608 002, India.
S. Sundaramoorthy
Department of Plant Pathology, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Paiyur, Tamil Nadu -635112, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Fusarium wilt, caused by various Fusarium species, is a devastating disease of brinjal (Solanum melongena) leading to substantial yield losses in major production regions. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Fusarium wilt in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh during 2024. A comprehensive survey across brinjal-growing regions, including Chittoor, Kurnool, Guntur, Salem, Dindigul, Krishnagiri, and Cuddalore, revealed varying disease incidence. Hosur (Tamil Nadu) exhibited the highest percent disease incidence (PDI) at 56.45%, followed by Madanapalli (Andhra Pradesh) at 54.67%. Pathogen isolation and identification using the tissue segment method confirmed Fusarium sp. as the primary causal agent. Morphological characterization revealed significant variations among isolates in colony shape, conidial diameters, and growth patterns, indicating a heterogeneous Fusarium population across the investigated locations. To lessen the effect of Fusarium wilt on brinjal output, these results highlight the vital necessity for ongoing monitoring, precise pathogen identification, and the creation of integrated management techniques such resistant variety breeding.
Keywords: Solanum melongena, fusarium, Percent Disease Incidence (PDI), pathogen identification, morphological characterization, heterogeneity, integrated management