Pathogenic, Morphological and Molecular Diversity of Fusarium oxysporum f sp elaeidis Isolates, Causal Agent of Fusarium Wilt of Oil Palm in Côte d'Ivoire

The main means of controlling Fusarium wilt of oil palm is the use of tolerant hybrids. The objective of this study was to show the pathogenic, morphological and molecular differences of Fusarium oxysporum f sp elaeidis (Foe) isolates from Ivory Coast. A total of 13 Fusarium oxysporum (Fo) strains were isolated from fusarium-damaged oil palm organs from Héania, La Mé, Anguédedou, Dabou and Grand-Bereby(SOGB) localities. Fo isolates were subjected to pathogenicity tests, morphological, and morphometric characterization, molecular diversity (PCR-ITS-RFLP) and DNA sequencing. Results showed that six strains are pathogenic to oil palm. Isolates from Anguededou (A10), Dabou (D2-6) and La Mé (L60) were more aggressive, with incubation time ranging from five to six weeks, while those from Héania (E69), SOGB (So-19) and Mono 179 strains recorded from 8 to 20 weeks incubation time and showed less aggressive. Morphometric characterization showed that length of microconidia and macroconidia (two partitions) of Foe are shorter than Fo. For molecular level, electrophoretic profiles were different from one enzyme to another and identical for the same enzyme. The high aggressive strains obtained in this study can be use to screen hybrids varieties.