Fungi of the genus Fusarium on tomato plants in Russia
- Authors: Yarmeeva M.M.1, Chudinova E.M.2, Elanskaya A.S.1, Kokaeva L.Y.1,2, Elansky S.N.1,2
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Affiliations:
- Lomonosov Moscow State University
- Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia
- Issue: Vol 59, No 2 (2025)
- Pages: 169-180
- Section: PHYTOPATHOGENIC FUNGI
- URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/0026-3648/article/view/288869
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.31857/S0026364825020058
- EDN: https://elibrary.ru/sqoxky
- ID: 288869
Cite item
Abstract
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most widely cultivated vegetable crops in Russia. Fungi of the genus Fusarium are among the most significant tomato pathogens, causing wilt and fruit rot. This study investigated the species composition and pathogenicity of Fusarium strains isolated from tomato plants across different regions of Russia using molecular methods. Tomato tissues samples exhibiting fungal disease symptoms were collected during the growing season from commercial open-field farms in the Moscow, Astrakhan, and Saratov regions, as well as the Krasnodar Territory. A total of 25 Fusarium strains were isolated: 19 strains were isolated from fruits, two from leaves, one from the stem and 3 from roots. DNA analysis of tef1α and β-tubulin regions identified nine species within three species complexes: the Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti complex (F. citri, F. clavum, F. compactum, F. luffae), the Fusarium fujikuroi complex (F. annulatum, F. proliferatum), and the Fusarium oxysporum complex (F. curvatum, F. fabacearum, F. nirenbergiae). F. curvatum was isolated from the roots of a plant with wilt symptoms, while F. fabacearum was recovered from the roots of asymptomatic plants and from fruits. F. luffae was isolated from the stem of the plant with wilt symptoms and from diseased fruit. F. clavum strains were isolated from leaves with dark necrotic spots and from fruits. Strains of F. citri, F. clavum, F. compactum, F. annulatum, F. proliferatum, and F. nirenbergiae were isolated from fruits with fungal disease symptoms. All analyzed strains successfully infected tomato fruits and potato tubers in a spore suspension injection test. The most aggressive species were F. compactum and F. nirenbergiae, with F. compactum capable of infecting healthy fruits with intact skin. Strains of F. clavum also infected healthy tomato fruits, but the infection developed more slowly than with F. compactum. This study is the first to demonstrate the pathogenicity of F. compactum, F. annulatum, F. fabacearum, and F. nirenbergiae in tomatoes. These findings expand current knowledge on the diversity of Fusarium species associated with diseased tomato tissues.
About the authors
M. M. Yarmeeva
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Author for correspondence.
Email: mari.yarmeeva@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow
E. M. Chudinova
Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia
Email: chudiel@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow
A. S. Elanskaya
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Email: elanskaya034@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow
L. Yu. Kokaeva
Lomonosov Moscow State University; Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia
Email: kokaeval@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow; Moscow
S. N. Elansky
Lomonosov Moscow State University; Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia
Email: snelansky@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow; Moscow
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