First reports of Fusarium agrestense, F. gossypinum, F. grosmichelii and F. triseptatum causing cassava root rot in Pernambuco, Brazil

Cassava root rot is a widespread issue in plantations globally, causing significant economic losses. Fusarioid fungi are widely distributed in the world and are commonly associated to root rot in cassava. Fusarioid fungi were isolated from cassava plant roots exhibiting rot symptoms in a cultivation area in Pernambuco, Brazil. Phylogenetic analysis of the TEF-1α, RPB1, and RPB2 genes identified Fusarium agrestense (a previously invalidly published species now validated), F. gossypinum, F. grosmichelii, F. triseptatum, and Neocosmospora falciformis. Pathogenicity tests demonstrated that all isolates could induce disease in cassava tubers and seedlings. This study presents the first multilocus phylogenetic analysis identifying fusarioid species responsible for cassava root rot globally and in Brazil, including F. agrestense, F. gossypinum, F. grosmichelii, and F. triseptatum. [Display omitted] •This is the first report of F. agrestense, F. gossypinum, F. grosmichelii and F. triseptatum causing cassava root rot.•Root rot of cassava: a disease caused by a complex of pathogens.•This is the first study to use multilocus phylogenetic analysis to identify fusarioid species linked to cassava root rot.