Germplasm Evaluation of Tomato for Resistance to the Emerging Wilt Pathogen Fusarium Equiseti

Abstract

Fusarium wilt caused by different Fusarium species is a devastating disease causes heavy loss to tomato plantation worldwide. In this study 13 tomato varieties were screened against F. equiseti to explore the resistance potential of the varieties against the disease. Out of 13 varieties only 2 varieties Roma and Hybrid showed resistance to the disease, while the other 69% were highly susceptible. Based on cluster analysis for genetic diversity it was reported that susceptible varieties are only 8% genetically different and share same genetic pool. We reported that the wild species of tomato Solanum pimpinellifolium (Sp- 2093) showed complete immunity and were remain unaffected having 25% genetic difference with other varieties tested. Thus wild tomato species may provide the source of resistance required to develop resistant variety against the emerging wilt pathogen F. equiseti. The data regarding virluence structure and resisatnt variety that is presented in this study will suport more focused efforts in the management of tomato wilt caused by Fusarium species and that resistant features of wild tomato variety Sp-2093, could be accumulated with other desirable characteristics of different germplasm in one cultivar, which will reduce the chances for new virulent species to evolve.