Characterization of emerging populations of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans causing cabbage wilt in China

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans (FOC) causes Fusarium wilt, a disease of cabbage that has brought about significant economic loss throughout northern China since it was first detected in 2001. To characterize the Chinese FOC isolates, we compared the cultural characteristics, pathogenicity and races between the Chinese isolates and the type strains (race 1: 52,557 and race 2: 58,385). The Chinese FGL‐03‐6 isolate had cultural characteristics similar to those of strain 52,557, including colony growth rate, colony and spore characteristics and responses to temperature changes, while the strain 58,385 grew faster, produced more pigment and spores and was more adaptable to temperature fluctuations. The lethal temperature for all strains was 60°C, and the optimal temperatures for pathogen growth on potato dextrose agar and pathogenicity on plants were 25°C and 25 to 30°C, respectively. Tests for race and pathogenicity indicated that different cabbage cultivars had similar resistance reactions to FGL‐03‐6 and 52,557. However, the pathogenicity of FGL‐03‐6 was similar to that of 58,385, which infected quickly and caused more severe disease symptoms. This study further provides information regarding characterizing different strains of F. oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans.