Fusarium oxysporum Associated with Fusarium Wilt on Pennisetum sinese in China

Abstract

Pennisetum sinese, a versatile and adaptable plant, plays an essential role in phytoremediation, soil reclamation, and fodder production. From 2018 to 2021, the occurrence of Fusarium wilt, with symptoms of foliar blight and internal discoloration of the stem, was observed in Chongqing, China. Pathogens were isolated from the symptomatic leaves. Based on morphological characteristics as well as DNA sequences of the 18S ribosomal RNA (SSU), translation elongation factor 1-α (EF1-α), RNA polymerase II subunit 1 (rpb1), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2) genes, the causal agents were identified as Fusarium oxysporum. Phylogenetic analysis of the combined dataset of EF1-α, rpb1 and rpb2 showed that pathogenic isolates clustered with F. oxysporum strains. The pathogen was reisolated from inoculated and diseased tissues; thus, Koch’s postulates were fulfilled. This is the first report of F. oxysporum causing Fusarium wilt on P. sinese in China and worldwide.

Sustainable Use of Pennisetum sinese: Effect on Nutritional Components and Fermentation Quality of Stylosanthes guianensis in Tropics

“…Moreover, forages play an important role in natural resource management and carbon sequestration to reduce soil erosion and mitigate the effects of climate change, particularly for the available meager land or tropical regions [5,6]. Pennisetum sinese is a versatile, strongadaptability and high biomass-production-rate gramineous forage, mainly distributed in tropical or subtropical regions around the world [7,8]. Because of its fast growth rate, high lignocellulosic biomass, and good palatability, it is widely used as a feedstock for ruminants and biofuels [7,9,10].…”

“…Pennisetum sinese is a versatile, strongadaptability and high biomass-production-rate gramineous forage, mainly distributed in tropical or subtropical regions around the world [7,8]. Because of its fast growth rate, high lignocellulosic biomass, and good palatability, it is widely used as a feedstock for ruminants and biofuels [7,9,10]. P. sinese grows rapidly and produces excess forage grass during the rainy season in summer, but it grows slowly or even stops growing in winter, which easily causes a seasonal shortage of green feed.…”