Fusarium falciforme, another causal agent of root rot of wheat and barley varieties in Morocco.

This study primarily focused on the morphological description and pathological characteristics of a Fusarium species associated with root diseases in wheat and barley. Prospections conducted in wheat and barley fields during the spiking stage in the Souk Tlat commune of the Gharb region revealed the presence of diseased plants. Mycological analyses of affected wheat and barley plants from various fields identified representatives of the Fusarium genus. To identify a specific Fusarium isolate (ZF1), both morphological and molecular characterization techniques were utilized, confirming it as Fusarium falciforme. The inoculation of wheat and barley seeds was carried out using a suspension of the Fusarium isolate adjusted to a concentration of 10(6) spores/L. The results revealed the development of weak to moderate root and crown rot in the plants. Browning and necrotic lesions were recorded in stem bases, crowns region and roots, with these lesions extending from the roots to the upper portions of the plants. The disease severity index was determined to be 16.6% for barley plants and 25% for durum wheat, assessed 80 days post-inoculation. Koch's postulates were fulfilled, as re-isolation from symptomatic plants yielded positive results. Consequently, F. falciforme was demonstrated to induce lesion development on the roots and crowns of both wheat and barley plants.