Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #122495
Title: GENETIC ANALYSIS OF FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM ISOLATES FROM SUGAR BEET

Author
item Hanson, Linda
item Hill, Amy
item Caolo Tanski, Janet
item Panella, Leonard

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/28/2001
Publication Date: 4/9/2001
Citation: Hanson, L.E., Hill, A.L., Caolo Tanski, J.M., Panella, L.W. 2001. Genetic analysis of fusarium oxysporum isolates from sugar beet. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary: Fusariium oxysporum F. sp. betae (FOB) causes Fusarium yellows of sugar beet which can lead to reductions in root yield, in percent sucrose, and in juice purity from the root. The disease occurs in most of the northern beet growing areas of the United States and in Europe. In 1999, it was found in over 20% of the sugar beet acreage in the northern great plains. We examined the genetic variability in 51 isolates using randomly amplifie polymorphic DNA analysis. Most of the isolates that caused symptoms on sugar beets clustered together, but there were some non-pathogens in the same cluster and a few pathogenic isolates diverged from the main cluster, indicating a degree of diversity within sugar beet isolates.

Technical Abstract: Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. betae (FOB) causes Fusarium yellows of sugar beet. We used randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPDS) to quantify the genetic variability in strains of F. oxysporum isolated from sugar beets from different states in the U.S. We also determined the pathogenicity on sugar beets in a greenhouse evaluation. The F. oxysporum isolates from sugar beet fell into two major clusters based on RAPD patterns. Twelve isolates of the 51 isolates obtained from sugar beets were pathogenic on sugar beets and were identified as FOB. The majority of the FOB strains clustered together, however, other FOB strains showed divergent patterns. Thus FOB appears to be a diverse group within F. oxysporum. We also found some nonpathogenic F. oxysporum that fell in the same cluster as the FOB isolates.