2025, Vol. 8, Issue 3, Part H

author(s)
Dawen DE, Amienyo CA and Okechalu OB

abstract
Fusarium is one of the most important genera of phytopathogenic fungi, causing potato wilt in the field and potato tuber dry rot in storage. The objectives of this study was to isolate, identify and characterize Fusarium species associated with potato wilt and rot in different potato growing areas in Plateau State (Mangu, Jos North and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas), and to assess their pathogenicity. Soil samples were collected from farms known to cultivate potato for at least three farming seasons consecutively. Two species of Fusarium were identified (Fusarium solani and Fusarium falciforme). Among these species isolated, they showed varying pathogenicity and wilting on four potato varieties (Caruso, Connect, Jelly and Marabel). Fusarium solani were identified for MAngu and Jos-North while Fusarium falciforme was identified in Barkin-Ladi soil. The In vitro potato tuber pathogenicity showed that F. solani was more aggressive while F. falciforme showed resistance. However, contrasting experience was observed in field (In vivo). The Barkin-Ladi isolate (F. falciforme) was more aggressive in the field than F. solani. This implies that Fusarium is responsible for wilting of potato in field and rot in storage and that the spores of this organism persist in the soil hence, the need to carry out preventive measures such as, solarization, crop rotation, planting resistant varieties and the likes rather that imploring curative measures.