The Causal Agent of Fusarium Disease Infested Shallots in Java Islands of Indonesia

Abstract

The success of disease control is largely determined by the validity of information about the type of causal-pathogen. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae (FOC) was reported to attack shallots and cause leaf twisting disease in Indonesia. We have conducted researches to investigate the causal agent of Fusarium disease and carried out growth tests on nine genotypes of shallots to determine the disease severity and disease indexes, and the correlation between diseases several agronomic traits. Thirty-five strains of Fusarium spp were isolated from wilted shallots tree and bulbs. Based on morphological characterization and rapid test to the isolates, they were identified as F oxysporum, F verticillioides, F solani and F proliferatum. The shallot genotypes that showed a tolerant response to FOC isolates tested were only Sumenep variety. Mentes, Tajuk, Batu Ijo, and Bima Brebes varieties show susceptible response.