Isolation, Identification, and Pathogenicity Assessment of Fusarium Species Associated with Root and Stem Rot from Rapeseed Fields in some Regions of Golestan Province

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU)

2 Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU),

3 Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) Karaj, Iran.

4 Medical Biology Research Center (MBRC), Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences

10.22059/ijpps.2025.400011.1007088

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is widely cultivated oilseed crops in Iran and worldwide, valued for its role in producing edible oil, supporting energy production and contributing to food security. Studies have shown that Fusarium species causing crown and root rot diseases are among the major threats to canola production in Golestan Province and other regions of Iran. These fungal pathogens are responsible for considerable economic losses and reduction of canola yield. In this study, 103 contaminated rapeseed samples exhibiting crown and root rot symptoms were collected from canola-growing fields of Golestan Province. Among these samples, 79 Fusarium isolates were obtained, and the pathogenicity of 59 isolates was confirmed using pathogenicity assays. To identify the collected isolates at species-level, we used a combination of morphological characteristics and molecular/bioinformatics analyses using sequencing of the ITS and TEF-1α genes. Accordingly, the identified isolates were Fusarium acuminatum, Fusarium proliferatum, and Fusarium culmorum. Interestingly, Fusarium culmorum and Fusarium proliferatum were accounting for 47 and 42% of identified isolates among the collected samples. For the first time, this study report the pathogenicity of these three Fusarium isolates collected from the studied regions. The results highlights the importance of accurate identification and the integrated management of pathogenic Fusarium isolates to reduce economic losses and maintain healthy rapeseed production.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Plant Protection Science

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 01 November 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 03 August 2025
  • Revise Date: 26 October 2025
  • Accept Date: 01 November 2025

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