MORPHOLOGICAL, CULTURAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND NUTRITIONAL STUDIES OF NEW Fusarium WILT PATHOGEN OF BRINJAL

Abstract

A new species of Fusarium causing wilt on brinjal was identified as F.oxysporum f.sp. melongenae on the basis of morphological, cultural, physiological and nutritional studies. The fungus produces hyaline, septate, cottony white to pink mycelium. The macroconidia were oval, hyaline, mostly non- septate or with a single septa. The pathogen produces abundent pale brown chlamydospores either singly or in chains. Richard's agar as well as potato dextrose agar medium was the basal medium for growth and sporulation of the fungus. It utilises glucose, sucrose, lactose. xylose, sorbital and dextrin as a carbon sources while potassium and ammonium nitrate as a nitrogen sources. The optimum temperature and pH for the growth of fungus was 28 ± 1°C and 5.7 resepctively whereas the thermal death point for the fungus was 59 to 60°C.