Fusarium fruit rot of banana in Iran
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24425/jppr.2026.3394Abstract
Banana fruit rot by Fusariumverticillioides is one of the most important diseases of banana in Iran. In 2021-2022 this species was identified by both morphological and molecular methods in Iran, also its phylogenetic relationship with the reference species in the GenBank was investigated. Pathogenicity tests revealed that all isolates induced symptoms of banana fruit rot disease that were consistent with those observed in the field. In the second step of this study, control of F. verticillioides was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Nowadays, the current trend is shifting from chemical pesticides toward safer methods. Antagonist microorganisms as biocontrol agents are useful substitutes. Some bacteria and fungi have been found to have inhibitory effects on F. verticillioides. In this research we examined bacterial and yeast antagonist isolates, Neem extract and finally a chemical fungicide (Thiabendazole) on mycelial growth of F. verticillioides. Our results showed that two bacterial isolates and two isolates of yeasts inhibited the pathogen growth. The methanol leaf extract of Neem at 4000 ppm concentration, showed the most antifungal activity. Integration of bacterial and yeast antagonists with Thiabendazole showed the best activity at 600 ppm concentration of Thiabendazole.
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