Isolation, Identification and Preservation of Fusarium Spp. Causing Dry Rot of Potato Tubers

Abstract

Fungi of the genus Fusarium cause dry rot, a potato disease which develops during long-term storage of tubers. The disease-inducing capabilities differ among Fusarium spp., but may also vary within species universally considered main dry rot agents. Identification of Fusarium spp. present on diseased tubers in a surveyed area can help minimize crop losses and mycotoxin contamination by, for example, applying proper fungicides or planning crop rotation. Here, we present a procedure of obtaining single spore colonies of Fusarium spp. from potato tubers infected by dry rot, their identification using molecular methods and ways of preservation.