Identification of Races 1, 2, 4 and 8 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi in Turkey by Using Molecular Markers

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. dianthi (Prill and Delacr.) (Fod) is a causal agent of wilt disease of carnation (Dianthus caryophyflus L.) with its different physiological races. Although eleven physiological races of Fod have been reported in the world, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic tool was developed for identification of Fod races 1, 2, 4, and 8, which are the most commonly found in many countries. On the other hand, there is no information about which races are found in Turkey. A total of 91 isolates were collected from plants with Fusarium-like symptoms in the most grown carnation areas in Antalya, İzmir, Isparta and Yalova provinces and all isolates were identified using molecular methods. As a conclusion, the results showed that Fod isolates collected from the most carnation grown provinces of Turkey consist mostly of race 1, 2 and 8. This is the first study reporting Fod races causing wilt disease on carnation plants in Turkey.