First report of Fusarium solani causing root rot of pistachio Pistacia vera L. seedlings in nurseries in Syria

Abstract EN

In 2014/15 growing season, It was observed a significant death rate of pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) seedlings after several months of germination in Al-kom nursery belonging to the Directorate of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the governorate of Sweida / Syria.

The objectives of this research were to define the pathogen responsible for this phenomena.

The inventory process showed that the percentage of seedling death in 2014 was more than 50 %, and exceeded 20 % in 2015 up to the date of this study.

The dead seedlings showed lesions on roots with reddish brown to black coloration, and in some cases the entire root appear black.

Discoloration was also observed at the base of stem.

The isolation from infected tissues showed that the fungus causing seedling death was Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc.

Koch’s postulates were completed by an artificial infection on Pistacia vera rootstock.

The seedling death percentage was more than 60%, and showed symptoms similar to those that had appeared on the nursery seedlings, then the fungus F.

solani was reisolated from artificially infected seedlings.

The results of this study are considered as the first report of root and crown rot of pistachio seedlings caused by F.

solani in nurseries in Syria