Characterization and pathogenicity of Fusarium solani associated with dry root rot of citrus in the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey

Fusarium dry root rot is one of the most dangerous diseases of citrus in Turkey. Since December 2015, a devastating decline has caused light purple, vascular discolorations, and dry decay of fibrous roots in some citrus orchards. Cream-colored colonies produced ovoid, ellipsoid or reniform, 1–2-celled microconidia. Macroconidia were 3–5 septate, hyaline, straight, or slightly curved. Chlamydospores were produced from mycelium in intercalary or terminal chains. The fungus was identified as Fusarium solani by sequencing of the ITS and tef-1 α nucleotides, pathogenicity assay and MALDI-TOF MS. In pathogenicity tests on ‘Okitsu’, 20 isolates of Fusarium spp. caused typical root rot.