Detection of Fusarium solani as a Pathogen Causing Root Rot and Wilt Diseases of Young Olive Trees in Morocco
M. Chliyeh
Laboratory of Botany, Biotechnology and Plant Protection, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, P.O.Box 133, Kenitra, Morocco.
S. Msairi
Laboratory of Botany, Biotechnology and Plant Protection, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, P.O.Box 133, Kenitra, Morocco.
A. Ouazzani Touhami
Laboratory of Botany, Biotechnology and Plant Protection, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, P.O.Box 133, Kenitra, Morocco.
R. Benkirane
Laboratory of Botany, Biotechnology and Plant Protection, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, P.O.Box 133, Kenitra, Morocco.
A. Douira *
Laboratory of Botany, Biotechnology and Plant Protection, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, P.O.Box 133, Kenitra, Morocco.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The cultivation of the olive tree has several problems related to pests and diseases that can cause heavy economic losses by causing the death of trees. Fusarium solani was detected in the olive trees of Sidi Taibi’s nurseries located in the national road between Kénitra and Rabat in spring 2012 and 2013 (1 to 2% of diseased plants). Koch’s postulate was verified in the olive trees variety ‘Picholine Moraine’, inoculated withF. solani. Three months after inoculation of the plants, the extremities of the young buds began to dry out, then the drying became generalized and the roots of the inoculated plants showed rot and detached from the base of the plants. The pathogen was re-isolated from the roots, dried buds, bark and petioles of the leaves of the inoculated plants; the percentage of isolation was 100%.
Keywords: Olive, Fusarium solani, symptoms, Koch's postulates, pathogenicity, Morocco.