Fusarium oxysporum
Fusarium oxysporum in a Petri dish
Fusarium oxysporum is a Schimmelpilzart of the genus Fusarium. The species is a dreaded plant pathogen and can cause Fusarium or Fusarium wilt. The species was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its suitability as a biological weapon under the name Agent Green.
Description
The sporangia are short, poorly developed and branched or unbranched. They stand together on purple - pink colored stromata in dense patches. The macroconidia are sickle-shaped and 2 - to 6- celled. They are 13-45 microns long and 3-4 microns wide. In some cases there are small microconidia and thick-walled resting spores.
Dissemination
Fusarium oxysporum is a cosmopolitan and affects a wide range of host plants.
System
The nature of Fusarium oxysporum is classified according to their host plant in a variety of forms. A few examples are:
- Fusarium oxysporum f sp. betae infects beet
- Fusarium oxysporum f sp. cubense infects banana ( Musa spp.)
- Fusarium oxysporum f sp. lilii affects lilies
- Fusarium oxysporum f sp. lini affects Lein
- Fusarium oxysporum f sp. lycopersici infects tomato
- Fusarium oxysporum f sp. narcissi daffodils attacks