Verticillium dahliae Kleb, regionally important phytopathogen agent

Abstract

Verticillium dahliae is a soil phytopathogenic fungus that presents a wide range of susceptible hosts, both herbaceous and woody, which are considered of agronomic, ornamental and forestry interest. Among the species of agronomic interest and regional importance are the olive tree (Olea europaea) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), among others. The application of prevention and control measures requires the identification of the etiological agent that causes diseases, for which the objective of this work was to determine the presence, isolation, and identification of the etiological agent of the Olive Verticillium disease that manifests itself in the olive groves of the provinces of Catamarca and La Rioja, the main olive (Olea europaea L.) producing provinces in the Argentine Republic. Sampling was carried out in different olive farms in Catamarca and La Rioja to obtain the material for the isolation of V. dahliae, until obtaining pure cultures and selection of strains. The morphological and molecular identification of the isolates was carried out. The isolation and morphological, functional, and genetic identification of V. dahliae as a phytopathogenic agent of olive verticillium wilt was achieved, in olive plant var. Arauco of the province of Catamarca