Improving the detection and control of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. elaeidis
K. ADUSEI-FOSU (1) (1) NOTTINGHAM UNIVERSITY, United Kingdom

Fusarium wilt remains the major problem to oil palm cultivation and palm oil yield in Africa. The causal fungus called Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. elaeidis(Foe), is soil-borne, surviving as thick walled chlamydospores. Host specific forms (f.sp.) inflict serious losses on many major crops. Infection occurs via roots and systemic spread is within xylem vessels. Reported losses range from death of 1-2% of palms p.a. to chronic and acute wilt resulting in 30 and 54% reduction. Oil palm is crucial in providing income to major companies and smallholders, local employment and food in Ghana. There is currently a shortfall to meet local demand. Thus factors constraining maximum yield are critical to address. Disease control will come from a combination of selection and release of resistant germplasm and understanding epidemiology and the variability of Foe. This study will introduce improved measures to obtain resistant oil palm germplasm from the high local genetic diversity. Surveys have been conducted in Ghana, and molecular techniques have been tested on isolates collected from Ghana. Disease distribution and mode of pathogen spread have been evaluated within sampling sites of Ghana. The Foe isolates sampled from Ghana are being compared with other Foe isolates across selected oil palm production countries. Evaluation of isolates is being undertaken using molecular diagnostic tools including AFLP, SSR for analysis of genetic diversity in the pathogen, and LAMP techniques for diagnosis. Novel effector genes are also being studied as part of the identification of differences existing between isolates of the Foe. Genetic diversity of Foe may affect durability of introduced resistance and will be revealed by these analyses. 

Abstract Number: P3-64
Session Type: Poster