Isolation and identification of Fusarium spp. associated with Fusarium wilt of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Algeria

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important vegetable crop in many Mediterranean countries, and Fusarium is known to cause wilt in these crops. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris and Fusarium redolens are the only species which have been reported as the causes of Fusarium wilt in Algeria. Fusarium isolates (74) were obtained from roots of chickpea plants showing symptoms of wilting and necroses in xylem tissues. The plants were from 11 eleven principal provinces for chickpea crops in Algeria. Laboratory identifications for 31 isolates were achieved by sequencing their transcription elongation Factor 1- α (Ef-1 α) gene regions. Four principal species were identified including F. oxysporum (20 isolates), F. redolens (ten isolates), F. solani (one isolate) based on PCR using species-specific primers, and three formae speciales were identified within Fusarium oxysporum. Fusarium redolens and F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris were dominant in the sampling sites. Fusarium redolens was identified in the western region of Algeria, and F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris was not isolated from this region. In contrast, from the eastern region, F. redolens was not isolated but F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris was detected. Pathogenicity tests showed that chickpea was susceptible to various Fusarium species. Inoculated plants exhibited gradual wilting that eventually affected entire plants. This study provides new knowledge of the distribution of Fusarium species causing chickpea wilt in Algeria. Precise identification and the localization of pathogen species is important for developing Fusarium wilt management strategies, including development of wilt resistant chickpea cultivars.