First report of Fusarium solani causing pink root disease on garlic (Allium sativum L.) in Lombok, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the important agricultural commodities in Indonesia, with Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) Province among the main producing regions. Several incidences of pink root disease symptoms have been reported in garlic plantations in the Sembalun highlands of Eastern Lombok District, NTB Province, Indonesia. This study aimed to isolate and identify the fungal pathogen responsible for pink root disease in garlic plants in this region. Fungal pathogens isolated from diseased garlic plants were morphologically investigated under a microscope and molecularly identified which includes DNA isolation, PCR, sequencing, processing of sequencing data, and NCBI blasts. The symptoms of the diseased plants in the fields were leaf wilting, stunted growth, and shortened roots which first turn light pink, then darken through red and purple, later turn black, and die. The mycelial colour of the pathogen on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media was growth white. Observation of the pathogen under a microscope indicated that the pathogen produced oval micro-conidia and crescent-shaped macro-conidia. Based on the BLAST results which are based on the NCBI database, it can be concluded that the species of Fusarium solani was responsible for invading the garlic plant. This is the first report of pink root disease on Lombok Island in Indonesia.