The influence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. medicaginis on total soluble-sugar concentration of infected alfalfa roots

Abstract

Alfalfa was inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. medicaginis, and the total soluble-sugar concentration was determined in diseased taproots of cold-hardened plants. The concentration of soluble sugars decreased with increasing discoloration of root tissue (r = −0.85, P ≤ 0.0001). The low concentration of soluble sugars might be responsible for the previously reported low freezing tolerance of Fusarium-infected alfalfa. Key words: Alfalfa, Fusarium, sugars, frost tolerance