Research article Cultural and morphological variability of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ricini isolates from castor growing areas of Gujarat

Abstract

Cultural and morphological variability in five isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ricini collected from different castor growing areas of Gujarat was studied. Varied cultural characteristics, mycelial colour, substratum pigmentation, growth pattern, dry mycelial weight, sporulation and size of micro and macro conidia of all isolates was observed which were further  influenced by all five culture media viz., Rose bengal medium, Potato dextrose medium, Richard's medium, Asthana and Hawker's medium and Glucose asparagine medium. There was a significant variation among all five isolates of F. oxysporum f.sp. ricini in respect of cultural characteristics, mycelial colour, substratum pigmentation, mycelial growth, dry mycelial weight, sporulation, size of microconidia and macroconidia. Each isolate exhibited cultural and morphological variations under influence of different culture media. The findings of present study will be useful for developing Fusarium wilt resistant castor hybrids/varieties.