Abstract
Infectious diseases caused by fungi from the Fusarium genus are one of the main reasons for the decrease in yield and quality of grain crops. The aim of the study is to identify the most virulent fungal isolates of the Fusarium genus inhabiting the territory of the Tatarstan Republic and its neighbouring regions of the Volga Federal District. Wheat and rye spikes were collected in the summer of 2022 at the spike ripening stage. Thirteen fungal strains were isolated from obtained plant material and preliminary attributed as Fusarium species based on morphological characteristics. By analyzing the nucleotide sequences of the ITS2 (internal transcribed spacer) region of ribosomal genes, the obtained fungal isolates were confirmed to belong to the Fusarium genus. Most of these isolates were attributed to the species F. sporotrichioides, F. culmorum, F. oxysporum, F. poae, while some isolates were identified at the genus level. Using virulence assays with wheat grain and rye plants in vitro, four isolated fungal strains were characterized as highly virulent. Based on the analysis of ITS2 sequences, the highly virulent Fusarium strains were assigned to F. sporotrichioides (1 strain), F. culmorum (1 strain), and F. oxysporum (2 strains). Other fungal strains (9 isolates) were characterized as low- or moderately virulent. In addition to the pronounced virulence properties, the detected Fusarium species have the potential ability to produce mycotoxins dangerous for humans and farm animals, which actualizes the need for detailed phytosanitary studies on the territory of the Tatarstan Republic and its neighbouring regions of the Volga Federal District.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
