Assessing the Pathogenicity of Fusarium solani on Tomato Seedlings

Fusarium species is a common pathogen of post-harvest diseases that cause rotting of tomatoes and other perishable vegetables. The objectives of this study were to determine the diversity of Fusarium species isolated from infected tomato plants, identify the causative organisms using phenotypic characteristics and verify the Fusarium solani pathogenicity of tomato plant based on pathogenicity testing. Potato dextrose agar (PDA) media were used to determine the phenotype of Fusarium isolates with emphasis on characteristics of macroconidial and microconidial shapes and sizes, colony characteristics, growth rates, homogeneous cells, and chlamydospores. A total of 15 Fusarium isolates were obtained. Four isolates were identified as Fusarium solani then tested for pathogenicity. All tested Fusarium isolates were pathogenic to tomato plants with different levels of severity. Uninoculated controls showed no symptoms of root rot. F19 isolate was the most virulent with a DSI of 47.5%, while the least were F7, F22 and F11 isolates with a DSI of 42.5%, 37.5%, 35% respectively. The potential mycotoxin production of these pathogenic isolates in tomato plants can cause health problems when consumed.