Stem and root rot of Gentiana triflora Pall. caused by a species of the Fusarium solani species complex.

Abstract

Rotting of roots and stem bases and wilting of entire plants of gentian (Gentiana triflora Pall.) were found in Tochigi Prefecture in August 2011. A fungus, isolated repeatedly from the diseased plants, was identified as a species belonging to clade 3 of the Fusarium solani species complex based on morphological and molecular analyses. The isolates reproduced the symptoms on gentian plants in an inoculation test and were reisolated from the inoculated plants. In this report, we propose the Japanese name “tachigare-byo” for this root rot disease of gentian caused by a Fusarium sp. belonging to the F. solani species complex.