Isolation, identification and aggressiveness characterization of Fusarium spp. associated with crown rot and Fusarium head blight in Algerian wheat

Hamza Bouanaka; Ines Bellil; Wahiba Harrat; Gema Nieto; Douadi Khelifi

Hamza Bouanaka

, Ines Bellil

, Wahiba Harrat

, Gema Nieto

, Douadi Khelifi

Abstract: Fusarium crown rot (FCR) and fusarium head blight (FHB) are two destructive fungal diseases of wheat in the world. This research was conducted to study the most important species associated with these diseases in Algeria. One hundred and seventeen samples were collected. Sixty-three from the crown and fifty-four from wheat grains in several regions of northeastern Algeria. Fusarium spp. have been identified by sequencing internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1-2) of the rDNA, as well as their life lines (growth and sporulation rates). FCR pathogenicity tests were performed by two methods in vitro (Tube test) and in vivo (Pot test). A total of 34 isolates representing 10 Fusarium species was obtained. These results showed five species isolated from crown; Fusarium culmorum (16), F. cerealis (3), F. acuminatum (2), F. graminearum (1) and F. oxysporum (1). And seven species from grains; F. culmorum (3), F. incarnatum (3), F. graminearum (1), F. equiseti (1), F. asiaticum (1), F. fujikuroi (1) and F. brachygibbosum (1). F. culmorum strains were dominant and more aggressive. Moreover, F. graminearum and F. cerealis were aggressive in in-vitro test. However, the rest of species were more saprophytic than aggressive. The dendrogam showed a Fusarium rich diversity, in particular F. culmorum related to wheat FCR and FHB. A significant correlation was recorded between growth and sporulation rates (r =0.35 P=0.012<0.05). Furthermore, a strong correlation was recorded between tube and pot tests (r = 0.62, P = 0.007< 0.01). This result provides a simple in vitro test to predict F. culmorum FCR aggressiveness on wheat. In addition, this is the first report concerning F. incarnatum, F. asiaticum, F. acuminatum and F. graminearum identifications from Algerian wheat.

Keywords: Algeria; biodiversity; fungus; pathogenicity; phytopathology

Citation: Bouanaka, H., Bellil, I., Harrat, W., Nieto, G. & Khelifi, D. (2025). Isolation, identification and aggressiveness characterization of Fusarium spp. associated with crown rot and Fusarium head blight in Algerian wheat. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 31(3), 503–516.

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Date published: 2025-06-24

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