Molecular characterization and vegetative growth of pathogenic seed-borne fungus, Curvularia lunata of tomato and its in vitro control measures

Abstract

Present studies were conducted to isolate and identify the seed-borne pathogenic fungus from the selected tomato variety through morphological and molecular techniques based on the sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of 18S rDNA. According to the colony and conidial features, the fungus was identified as Curvularia sp. The obtained ITS sequencing showed above 99% similarity with Curvularia lunata in the NCBI database. The sequence of the fungus was deposited in NCBI GenBank under the accession number: ITS, MH382879.1. Besides, the phylogenetic tree further confirmed the taxonomic position of the studied fungus. Growth characteristics of the fungus on nine different fungal culture media were evaluated, in which Honey peptone agar, Carrot agar, Potato sucrose agar, and Kauffman’s agar were found the most suitable. The maximum vegetative growth of the fungus was recorded at 30°C temperature and pH conditions. The bio-control potential of five different antagonists against the studied fungus was assessed, in which Trichoderma harzianum showed the better performance to restrict mycelial growth. Three ethanolic plant extracts were also evaluated, in which Lowsonia inermis L. exhibited above 60% mycelial growth inhibition of the fungus. Among three tested fungicides, Tilt 250 EC was found as an excellent fungicide to inhibit mycelial growth of C. lunata under in vitro conditions. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(2): 124-132, Dec 2021

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“…Our results conform to the findings of other researchers who reported propiconazole as an effective fungicide against Pestalotiopsis guepinii [28] [29]. It has been reported that fungicides Tilt 250EC and Amistar Top 325 SC were effective against the mycelium growth of Curvularia lunata [16].…”

“…The efficacy of three different synthetic fungicides Tilt 250EC @ 100 ppm, 250 ppm and 500 ppm; and Ridomil gold MZ 68 WP and Amistar Top 325 SC @ 250 ppm, 500 ppm, and 750 ppm were evaluated on the isolated fungus by poison food techniques under laboratory conditions [16]. The PDA plate containing the tested fungus without any bio-control agent or fungicide was served as control.…”

First Report of Strawberry Leaf Blight Caused by Fusarium Fujikuroi Species Complex in Bangladesh

“…The growth pattern of the isolated fungus was evaluated on different soil fungal culture media (potato dextrose agar, PDA), (potato sucrose agar, PSA), (carrot agar, CA), (Richard agar, RA), (Honey peptone agar, HPA), and (Honey agar, HA) as described by Mallik et al (2021). The response of different temperature conditions (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C) was evaluated for the vegetative growth of the isolated fungus as the method mentioned by Billah et al (2021). The five different pH conditions (5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) were used to assess the mycelial growth of the fungus (Sikder et al 2020).…”