Characterization of Fusarium oxysporum F. sp. elaeidis (Fofse) causal agent of vascular wilt disease of oil palm

English

Studies were carried out on Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. elaedis (Fofse) isolates from the Crops Research Institute and Oil Palm Research Institute fields at Akumadan and Kusi, respectively. isolates P.38, P.50, P.459 and P.568 were obtained from Akumadan and isolate P.93 from Kusi. The growth and cultural characteristics of the isolates were studied on potato dextrose agar (PDA) prepared from dehydrated commercial formulation, PDA prepared from fresh potato tubers and potato sucrose agar (PAS). Cultural characteristics of the isolates on agar plates showed differences with respect to the pigments produced. The sizes of the macroconidia varied for all isolates. Four isolates namely P.38, 1).50, P.93 and P.459 were found to be variants of Fofse while isolate P. 568 was found to be either Fusarium solani or a mixture of E solani and Fofse.

Tagoe, S. M. A.; Lamptey, P. N. L.; Oduro, K. A.