Fusarium population in asparagus fields in relation with cultural practices, geographical localization and age of the plant

• Published in: Phytopathology Vol. 94; no. 6
• Main Authors: Yergeau, E, Vujanovic, V, St-Arnaud, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.06.2004
• Subjects: Asparagus officinalis; Fusarium
• ISSN: 0031-949X

Asparagus officinalis is a valuable perennial crop that showed a decline in the past decades leading to a loss in productivity, longevity and profitability of the fields. Fusarium species are the main pathogens responsible for the asparagus fields productivity decline and we previously showed that their populations in asparagus fields were composed of numerous species. In order to be able to rapidly process large number of samples, a Fusarium specific PCR-DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) method was developed and applied. DGGE is a highly discriminant culture-independent method with a theoretical resolution limit of one base pair between PCR products of similar length. Fusarium species diversity in commercial production fields is analysed by both PCR-DGGE and isolation on MBA selective medium, in relation with the following factors: geographic production area, effect of the first cropping season, cultural practices, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi diversity, and age of the asparagus fields (1st year: installation of plants in the field; 3rd year: beginning of the harvest; and 5-6th years: first observed decline of production).