Isolation and characterization of Fusarium oxysporum f. Sp. albedinis causing bayoud disease of date palm tree from Gambat, district Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

Among different diseases of dates, bayoud disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis causes serious damage to date palm throughout the world. The disease has damaged numerous date groves and can sometimes take on spectacular proportions when the disease appears in epidemic form. The disease is widespread and results in significant damage and incurs huge losses. In Pakistan, date palm is mainly cultivated in Khairpur (Sindh) and Turbat (Balochistan) districts. Date palm holds a significant position in the socio-economic development at Khairpur where several thousand peoples are associated directly or indirectly with date palm cultivation, trade and market. As no information exists about the bayoud disease in Khairpur district, therefore, in the present study, the disease was characterized on date palm trees caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis at college area of Gambat, District Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan. Samples of infected date palm trees of different varieties were collected from experimental area at the time of harvesting. The fungus was isolated, purified and identified as Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis on the basis of morphological characteristics. In conclusion, bayoud disease is an epiphytic disease for which there is no known cure at present. Only preventive measures could protect healthy date plantations from this disease.