Evaluation of different long-term preservation and storage methods of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici on the basis of survival, growth and pathogenicity

Fusarium oxysporum is a soil-borne fungus causing vascular wilt or root rot disease on a wide range of economically important crop plants. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) the incitant of vascular wilt in tomato was preserved in six different methods i.e. in Whatman filter paper, silica gel, potato dextrose agar slant with mineral oil, potato dextrose agar slant, sterilized soil and sterilized distilled water. Survival, growth and pathogenicity of FOL in different methods were evaluated upto 36 month of storage. At different storage treatments, growth and pathogenicity of FOL varied but not the cultural and morphological characters. The best survival of FOL was observed in filter paper followed by silica gel, mineral oil, soil, water and slant respectively.