Latent infection in tulip bulbs by Fusarium oxysporum

Abstract

Latent infections byFusarium oxysporum Schlecht. f. sp.tulipae can easily be induced in tulip bulbs in the laboratory. They may also occur in commercial stocks and their presence in planting stocks of susceptible cultivars may affect the health of the daughter bulbs harvested in the following year, even when the planted bulbs have been disinfected. Latent infections do probably not reduce the flowering ability of bulbs during forcing in winter. By histopathological techniques the infective hyphae were shown to penetrate the host tissue superficially in latent infections. The pathogen remains viable during dry storage of the bulbs for several months and can become reactivated after planting.