Fusarium Oxysporum F. Sp. Radicis-Lycopersici – the Cause of Fusarium Crown and Root Rot in Tomato Cultivation

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (FORL) leading to fusarium crown and root rot is one of the most destructive soilborne diseases of tomatoes occurring in greenhouse and field crops. Physiological races of FORL were not defined but nine vegetative compatibility groups (VGCs) were identified. Infection followed by wounds and natural holes and infection is not systemic. The optimum soil temperature for pathogen development is 18°C. Infection may cause plants to wilt and die completely or infection may lower fruit quality. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici has the ability to produce a specific enzyme, tomatinase, which breaks down α-tomatine and protects the pathogen. In contrast tomato also has a defence system which consists of the enzymes chitinase and β-1, 3-glucanase. Tomato resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici is determined by a single dominant gene Frl, localized on the long arm of chromosome 9. It was introduced to cultivars from Licopersicum peruvianum (L.) Mill.