First report of Fusarium redolens from Saskatchewan and its comparative pathogenicity

Fusarium redolens [syn: F. oxysporum var. redolens] is pathogenic on a wide range of plant species. Fusarium redolens was frequently isolated from necrotic and discolored root and crown tissues of chickpea, pea, lentil and durum wheat in Saskatchewan. The fungus was identified using distance analysis of the translation elongation factor-1 alpha sequences. Comparative pathogenicity tests showed that F. redolens, like Fusarium graminearum and Cochliobolus sativus, caused lesions and/or discolorations on the root, crown and shoot of durum wheat, pea and chickpea, although it had a different host preference. While F. redolens was most virulent on pea, the other two fungi were more virulent on durum wheat. It appears that F. redolens is common in the Prairie Ecozone of Saskatchewan and it may cause yield reduction in pea, chickpea and durum crops. This warrants a closer look at the biology and ecology of F. redolens in the Canadian Prairies.