Fusarium oxysporumf. sp. lycopersici (FOL) races and F. oxysporumf. sp. radicis lycopersici (FORL), the
causal agents of root rot and crown rot diseases, respectively, cause serious economic losses in tomato
greenhouses where production is intensive in the West Mediterranean region of Turkey. The isolates
were collected from West Mediterranean region of Turkey and were characterized by specific primers
based on three races (r1, r2, r3), besides pathogenicity tests inin vivo conditions Additionally, a scheme
was developed using newly tested ISSR and SRAP markers to a genotyping database and to determine the
possible origin of these pathogens. The present study provided new information on these pathogens
based on their races and their dominant existence in this region that has not been reported before.
Genetic diversity detected in the same races of the pathogen may be associated with difficulties in
controlling the pathogen and a possible resistance formation effort exerted by the pathogen to chemicals
used in plant protection in tomato greenhouses. Molecular analyses indicated genetic diversity in
pathogen isolates identified as r3, r2 and FORL, which may be associated with abiotic stress to which the
pathogens were exposed.
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