Identification of the Fusarium species associated with canola crown and root rot in Khuzestan Province

Fusarium sp. is one of the most important agents that infect the root and crown of canola in worldwide. The aim this survey was to identify Fusarium species associated with crown and root of canola grown in Khuzestan province and pathogenicity of dominant species in this area. Following isolation and purification of the samples, specific media were used to identify the isolates. The isolates were used for infection of the trees in an accidental manner. In this study, a total of 73 isolates of Fusarium were isolated. F. solani, with 23 isolates was the most dominant fungi in these samples while F. oxysporum and F. verticillioides showed the lowest number of isolates. In this study, F. nigamai, F. verticillioides and F. clamidosporas were isolated for first time from crown trees grown in Iran. The pathogenesis tests showed that F. solani and F. equiseti showed the highest pathogenesis. Based on the severe infection in the roots in these samples, it is recommended to investigate the volume of damages and appropriate strategies for control of pathogenesis of Fusarium in farms.