Host specificity and vegetative compatibility of Dutch isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f sp asparagi

The host range of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. asparagi (Foa) was studied in inoculation experiments with 21 plant species. Typical root rot symptoms were incited only in asparagus, in all experiments; lupin and pea were susceptible under in vitro conditions but showed only mild symptoms occasionally when tested in soil; none of the other species showed external disease symptoms. Root colonization by Foa was studied for 14 plant species. The pathogen was detected in externally disinfested roots of all species except leek and onion, with asparagus the most extensively colonized species. Asparagus was not susceptible to isolates of F. oxysporum f.sp. pisi, lupini, cepae, lilii, and gladioli and Fusarium sacchari var. elongatum. Naturally infested field soil was planted twice for 11-13 weeks with 11 plant species, including asparagus and several symptomless hosts, and subsequently with asparagus as a biotest plant. Of these crops, only asparagus greatly increased the severity of Foa root rot. It was concluded that Foa has a narrow host range as a pathogen but a broad host range as a parasite. The consequences of the latter for the epidemiology of Foa are discussed. Twenty-four Foa isolates were assigned to 18 different vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs); three additional F. oxysporum isolates, which were not pathogenic on asparagus, each belonged to a unique VCG. These findings indicate that the Dutch Foa population is very diverse genetically, as was found previously for the Foa population in the United States.