Effects of water osmotic potential on growth of fusarium oxysporum f sp lycopersici and verticillium dahliae
Besri, M.
Phytopathologische Zeitschrift 99(1): 1-8
1980
Accession: 005333735
F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and V. dahliae tolerate low water potentials. They can grow at -140 bars and -100 bars, respectively. The reduction of water potential from -1.5 bars to -13.79 bars increases their development. In a normal medium (-1.5 bars), mycelial growth of the 2 pathogens is inhibited at 35.degree. C but when salt is added to the medium, the mycelium develops normally. Optimum growth occurs for both fungi at -41.79 bars. The positive interaction between water potential and temperature explains how F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and particularly V. dahliae can be important even in dry hot climates.