Identification and Characterization of <i>Fusarium incarnatum</i> Causing Leaf Spot and Fruit Rot on Luffa in China
Xia Chen,
Hao Liu,
Lanlan Dong,
Junrui Shi,
Zhonghua Ma,
Leiyan Yan,
Yanni Yin
Affiliations
Xia Chen
Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
Hao Liu
Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
Lanlan Dong
Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
Junrui Shi
Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
Zhonghua Ma
Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
Leiyan Yan
Ningbo Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ningbo 315040, China
Yanni Yin
Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
In 2022, an outbreak of fungal rot disease affected luffa crops in Shanghai and Zhejiang Province. Infected plants exhibited symptoms including yellowing, chlorosis, wilting, and water-soaked occurred on leaves and fruits. Dark brown, concave lesions developed, often accompanied by white or pale pink mold under moist conditions. Fourteen pathogen strains, morphologically resembling Fusarium species, were isolated. Molecular analysis confirmed Fusarium incarnatum as the causative agent. Pathogenicity tests on luffa plants fulfilled Koch’s postulates, with inoculated plants displaying the same symptoms. Re-isolation of the fungus from the inoculated plants confirmed its role in the disease. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. incarnatum causing leaf spot and fruit rot on luffa in China. Moreover, the soil bacterial strain Bacillus velezensis BV171 displayed strong inhibition of F. incarnatum mycelia growth and promoted the growth of sponge gourd plants. These findings lay the foundation for the development of diagnostic tools, disease management strategies, and the breeding of resistant luffa varieties.
