Pathogenicity of Fusarium fungi to cereal crops

The pathogenicity of Fusarium sambucinum species complex (SC), F. tricinctum SC, F. incarnatum-equiseti SC, F. oxysporum SC, and F. solani SC, which are common root rot pathogens in Belarus, was investigated. As many as 288 isolates were obtained from winter cereals (wheat, triticale, rye, and barley) and spring cereals (barley, wheat, triticale, and oats) and tested on seedlings under laboratory conditions. The most pathogenic fungi were F. sambucinum SC and F. tricinctum SC, while F. incarnatum-equiseti SC, F. oxysporum SC and F. solani SC were weak pathogens. The pathogenicity of Fusarium fungi varied between crops. For example, F. sambucinum SC was the most pathogenic on winter wheat, triticale, and rye and spring triticale and oats, whereas F. tricinctum SC was an aggressive pathogen on winter and spring barley. Fusarium sambucinum SC and F. tricinctum SC were both aggressive pathogens on spring wheat.