First report ofFusarium proliferatumcausing crown and stem rot, and pith necrosis, in cannabis (Cannabis sativaL., marijuana) plants
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| Authors: | Punja, ZK |
| Year: | 2020 |
| Journal: | Can. J. Plant Pathol. Article Link (DOI) |
| Title: | First report ofFusarium proliferatumcausing crown and stem rot, and pith necrosis, in cannabis (Cannabis sativaL., marijuana) plants |
| Abstract: | Cannabis (Cannabis sativaL., marijuana) plants grown under greenhouse or controlled environments with symptoms of leaf yellowing, leaf necrosis and defoliation were observed during 2018-2019. Additional symptoms included crown rot and internal browning or blackening of the pith tissues. Stock (mother) plants as well as plants in the vegetative and flowering stages of 15 cannabis strains (genotypes) were affected. In addition, damping-off symptoms were observed on rooted cuttings in propagation rooms. Isolations from diseased tissues yielded predominantlyFusarium proliferatum, with someF. oxysporumalso recovered. Phylogenetic analysis of sequences from the translation elongation factor 1 alpha (TEF-1 alpha) region of 29 isolates ofF. proliferatumfrom eight licenced production facilities in three provinces in Canada (British Columbia, Ontario and New Brunswick), and one cannabis production site in northern California, grouped isolates from cannabis with a large clade of isolates from a wide range of other hosts in different geographic regions. Pathogenicity studies confirmed the ability ofF. proliferatumto cause symptoms of wilting, leaf and pith necrosis, and plant death on cuttings, rooted plants and stock plants. Inoculated tomato and cucumber plants developed similar symptoms. Stem colonization was more extensive byF. proliferatumcompared toF. oxysporumon cannabis cuttings. Both grew optimally at 25 degrees C on agar media althoughF. oxysporumgrew faster thanF. proliferatumat all temperatures tested. The occurrence ofF. proliferatumon cannabis plants has not been previously reported, adding to recent reports ofF. oxysporumandF. solanithat cause similar symptoms on cannabis plants. |
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