The evaluation of resistance of Luffa cylindrica genotypes to the fungus Verticillium dahliae

Abstract

Abstract Verticillium wilt, caused by V. dahliae is one of the important soil-borne disease on various host plants. Luffa cylindrica, a valuable tropical plant from the Cucurbitaceae, is one of the plants that can be affected by V. dahliae. This research investigated the resistance of several indigenous and non-indigenous genotypes of the Luffa plant to Verticillium wilt disease. To achieve this, the rate of disease severity index (DI) and the area under the disease progression curve (AUDPC) were evaluated in each of the genotypes after infection. The statistical analysis of the data was performed using Excel software. To confirm the proper colonization of plants, a plating assay was conducted on PDA culture. Additionally, to confirm the colonization and quantification of fungus in plant tissue at molecular level, the real-time PCR and specific ITS primers were utilized. The results indicated that all studied Luffa genotypes were categorized into two groups, super sensitive and sensitive, based on the severity of disease development. However, the Angled genotype exhibited less sensitivity to V. dahliae compared to the other studied genotypes, with a disease index of 18%. The results of plating assay and real-time PCR, confirmed the pathogenic effect of the V. dahliae on the luffa plant. However, due to the lack of sufficient studies on the genetics of resistance to Verticillium in Luffa, more extensive and detailed studies at the molecular level are needed to investigate the defense structure of this plant, especially the Angled genotype.