Current distribution and virulence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris in Turkey

This study was undertaken to define current data on chickpea Fusarium wilt severity, its relation with epidemiological parameters and virulence levels of isolates in Turkey. The disease was detected in 7 regions and 37 provinces of Turkey indicating that Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris is an emerging pathogen of chickpea. Yellowing and wilting types were detected in surveyed areas wherein yellowing was observed in 31 of 37 provinces. Epidemiological parameters were effective on wilting and yellowing syndrome development wherein negative correlations were observed among disease severity, relative humidity (%) (r = -0.25; P < 0.01) and the number of rainy days (r = -0.23; P < 0.01) for yellowing, however there was no statistically significant relationship for wilting phenotype (P > 0.05).