Characterization of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-cucumerinum attacking melon under natural conditions in Greece

A severe root and stem rot disease of melon was observed during the 2001 growing season on four glasshouse crops in Heraklio, Greece. A total of 43 isolates of F. oxysporum , obtained in Crete from glasshouse-grown melon and showing fusarium wilt or root and stem rot symptoms, were characterized by pathogenicity and vegetative compatibility. The majority of these isolates was also fingerprinted via amplified fragment length polymorphic (AFLP) analysis. Of the total number of isolates, 22 were identified by pathogenicity tests as F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis , 20 as F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-cucumerinum , while one isolate was nonpathogenic on cucumber, melon, sponge gourd and pumpkin. All 22 isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis were assigned to vegetative compatibility group (VCG) 0134, and all 20 isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-cucumerinum to VCG 0260. Isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-cucumerinum were incompatible with isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis. AFLP fingerprinting allowed for the clustering of the isolates of the two formae speciales of F. oxysporum along two separate phenetic groups: f. sp. melonis to AFLP major haplotype I, and f. sp. radicis-cucumerinum to AFLP major haplotype II. Overall, pathogenicity, vegetative compatibility grouping and AFLP analysis were correlated and effectively distinguished isolates of F. oxysporum from melon. This appears to be the first report of natural infection of melon by F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-cucumerinum worldwide.     

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service studies on polyketide toxins of Fusarium oxysporum f sp vasinfectum: potential targets for disease control

A group of 133 isolates of the cotton wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht f sp vasinfectum (Atk) Sny & Hans, representing five races and 20 vegetative compatibility groups within race 1 were used to determine the identity, biosynthetic regulation and taxonomic distribution of polyketide toxins produced by this pathogen. All isolates of F oxysporum f sp vasinfectum produced and secreted the nonaketide naphthazarin quinones, bikaverin and norbikaverin. Most isolates of race 1 (previously denoted as races 1, 2 and 6; and also called race A) also synthesized the heptaketide naphthoquinones, nectriafurone, anhydrofusarubin lactol and 5-O-methyljavanicin. Nine avirulent isolates of F oxysporum from Upland cotton roots, three isolates of race 3 of F oxysporum f sp vasinfectum, and four isolates of F oxysporum f sp vasinfectum from Australia, all of which previously failed to cause disease of Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) in stem-puncture assays, also failed to synthesize or secrete more than trace amounts of the heptaketide compounds. These results indicate that the heptaketides may have a unique role in the virulence of race 1 to Upland cotton. The synthesis of all polyketide toxins by ATCC isolate 24908 of F oxysporum f sp vasinfectum was regulated by pH, carbon/nitrogen ratios, and availability of calcium in media. Synthesis was greatest below pH 7.0 and increased progressively as carbon/nitrogen ratios were increased by decreasing the amounts of nitrogen added to media. The nonaketides were the major polyketides accumulated in synthetic media at pH 4.5 and below, whereas the heptaketides were predominant at pH 5.0 and above. The heptaketides were the major polyketides formed when 10 F oxysporum f sp vasinfectum race 1 isolates were grown on sterilized stems of Fusarium wilt-susceptible cotton cultivars, but these compounds were not produced on sorghum grain cultures. Both groups of polyketide toxins were apparently secreted by F oxysporum f sp vasinfectum, since half of the toxin in 2-day-old shake culture was present in the supernatant. Secretion was enhanced by calcium. Glutamine and glutamic acid inhibited both nonaketide and heptaketide syntheses, even at low nitrogen     

Molecular Characterization of Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium commune Isolates from a Conifer Nursery

ABSTRACT Fusarium species can cause severe root disease and damping-off in conifer nurseries. Fusarium inoculum is commonly found in most container and bareroot nurseries on healthy and diseased seedlings, in nursery soils, and on conifer seeds. Isolates of Fusarium spp. can differ in virulence; however, virulence and colony morphology are not correlated. Forty-one isolates of Fusarium spp., morphologically indistinguishable from F. oxysporum, were collected from nursery samples (soils, healthy seedlings, and diseased seedlings). These isolates were characterized by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and DNA sequencing of nuclear rDNA (internal transcribed spacer including 5.8S rDNA), mitochon-drial rDNA (small subunit [mtSSU]), and nuclear translation elongation factor 1-alpha. Each isolate had a unique AFLP phenotype. Out of 121 loci, 111 (92%) were polymorphic; 30 alleles were unique to only highly virulent isolates and 33 alleles were unique to only isolates nonpathogenic on conifers. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses of DNA sequences from all three regions and the combined data set showed that all highly virulent isolates clearly separated into a common clade that contained F. commune, which was recently distinguished from its sister taxon, F. oxysporum. Interestingly, all but one of the nonpathogenic isolates grouped into a common clade and were genetically similar to F. oxysporum. The AFLP cladograms had similar topologies when compared with the DNA-based phylograms. Although all tested isolates were morphologically indistinguishable from F. oxysporum based on currently available monographs, some morphological traits can be plastic and unreliable for identification of Fusarium spp. We consider the highly virulent isolates to be F. commune based on strong genetic evidence. To our knowledge, this is the first reported evidence that shows F. commune is a cause of Fusarium disease (root rot and dampingoff) on Douglas-fir seedlings. Furthermore, several AFLP genetic markers and mtSSU sequences offer potential for development of molecular markers that could be used to detect and distinguish isolates of F. oxysporum nonpathogenic to conifers and highly virulent isolates of F. commune in forest nurseries.     

棉花枯萎病菌的致病性及其碳素营养的试验研究

南通棉花枯萎病菌对22个棉花品种致病性的田間和盆栽試驗说明:中棉品种如辽阳一号、鶯湖棉、长丰黑籽、常紫一号、南通白花鸡脚桠鈴果、云南布沼土棉等抗病性比較強,以中棉为母本的中印杂交棉的抗病性也較強;陆地棉和海島棉一般感病程度都較高,但四川选育的陆地棉品种52—128則具有一定的抗病性。将枯萎病菌接种到甘藷等27种作物上,均未感病。五个地区的棉花枯萎病菌致病性的盆栽試驗说明:四川、陝西、辽宁的病原菌致病力較強,江苏的其次,安徽的最弱。以葡萄糖、果糖、半乳糖、甘露糖、乳糖、蔗糖、菊糖、溶解淀粉、阿拉伯糖醇等九种糖和糖醇为碳素营养料时,除四川的病原菌在以半乳糖为碳素营养料时生长中等外,其他都生长旺盛。不同地区病原菌的色素形成、小型孢子、大型孢子和厚膜孢子的产生,随碳素营养料的不同而有所差異。     

An Analysis of Host Adaptation and Its Relationship with Virulence in Cucumber mosaic virus

ABSTRACT The host range of a pathogen can have special consequences on its evolution and the evolution of its virulence. For generalists, adaptation to different hosts may be conditioned by different trade-offs in the pathogen's life history and be affected by evolutionary processes that shape pathogen populations. We have examined adaptation of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) to different hosts, and analyzed the relationship between host adaptation and virulence. For this, six CMV isolates from central Spain from three different hosts were compared for the ability to multiply and to affect host growth. These analyses were done before and after an experimental evolution process consisting of 10 serial passages in the original host of the isolate. The differential capacity to infect different hosts was compatible with host adaptation. However, the capacity to multiply in different hosts did not provide evidence of host adaptation and was not improved after 10 passages, suggesting that fitness of the natural population of CMV was at, or near to, its maximum. No relationship was found between capacity of multiplication and virulence in any of the three different hosts. These results suggest that the "trade-off" model for the evolution of virulence may not apply to CMV.     

黄瓜枯萎病菌遗传多样性的AFLP分析

黄瓜枯萎病是由半知菌亚门尖孢镰刀菌黄瓜专化型(Fusarium oxysporumf.sp.cucumainum Owen)侵染引起的一种土传病害,是影响黄瓜生产的最主要病害之一[1].近年来随着分子生物学技术的迅速发展,国内外学者对于病原真菌的遗传多样性做了大量的研究,Wang等[2]对影响黄瓜枯萎病菌AFLP技术体系的多种因素作了探讨,得到了1种适合于黄瓜枯萎病菌AFLP分析的优化体系;Duan等[3]应用RAPD、ISSR和AFLP标记揭示出了西瓜枯萎病菌株在分子水平上的遗传多样性.     

The potential of nonpathogenic Fusarium oxysporum and other biological control organisms for suppressing fusarium wilt of banana

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of nonpathogenic F. oxysporum and Trichoderma isolates from suppressive soils in South Africa to suppress fusarium wilt of banana in the glasshouse. Several biological control agents and commercial biological control products were included in the study. The isolates were first screened in vitro on potato dextrose agar. In glasshouse evaluations, the fungal and bacterial isolates were established on banana roots before they were replanted in pathogen-infested soil, while the commercial biocontrol agents were applied as directed by the supplier. Banana plantlets were evaluated for disease development after 7 weeks. In vitro tests showed none of the nonpathogenic isolates suppressed Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense ( Foc ), while slight suppression was observed with the two Trichoderma isolates. Results of the glasshouse evaluations revealed that two of the nonpathogenic F. oxysporum isolates, CAV 255 and CAV 241, reduced fusarium wilt incidence by 87·4 and 75·0%, respectively. The known biological control agent Fo47 did not suppress Foc significantly. Pseudomonas fluorescens strain WCS 417, known for its ability to suppress other fusarium wilt diseases (WCS 417), reduced disease incidence by 87·4%. These isolates should be further evaluated for potential application in the field, independently and in combination.     

Fusarium spp. as a cause of crown and root rot of asparagus in Greece

Specimens of diseased asparagus (108) were selected from 17 fields in northern Greece. The asparagus crowns showed limited or widespread brown discoloration or extensive internal rot with fibrous tissues. A red-brown discoloration was also observed on the roots and, in a serious infection, most of the roots were totally destroyed and only their epidermis and ribbon-like central axis remained. 68 strains of Fusarium proliferatum , 25 of F. oxysporum , 19 of F. solani , and 1 strain of Rhizoctonia solani were isolated from crowns and roots. Single-spore isolates were subcultured from 50 strains of F. proliferatum , 21 of F. oxysporum and 7 of F. solani. These isolates were evaluated for pathogenicity by inoculating cultivar UC157F₁ of asparagus in an in vitro agar test-tube assay for 21 days at 29–32°C, with a light period of 16 h. Isolates of F. proliferatum and F. oxysporum were found to be the most pathogenic. The pathogenic F. oxysporum isolates were characterized as f.sp. asparagi.     

Phytophthora boehmeriae boll rot: a new threat to cotton cultivation in the mediterranean region

A boll rot of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was observed for the first time in Greece in August 1993 in Larissa and Volos counties, and in August and September 1995 in Trikala and Phthiotis counties. Fungi of the genusPhytophthora were isolated from diseased plants. Morphological characteristics of the pathogen were recorded on mounts made directly from the infected tissues or after growth of the isolated fungus on corn meal agar or sterile distilled water. Colony morphology, growth rates, features of asexual and sexual structures and maximum growth temperatures were examined. APhytophthora species new to Europe,Phytophthora boehmeriae Sawada, attacking cotton bolls, was identified. The pathogenicity of the isolates was confirmed by artificial inoculations of detached cotton bolls. Analysis of α-esterase isozymes revealed unique banding patterns for isolates ofP. boehmeriae compared with those ofP. cactorum andP. parasitica, which arePhytophthora species with similar morphology.     

Genetic variation and population structure of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum in Australia

Genetic variation among 348 isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum (Fov) collected from diseased cotton plants in 31 fields in six cotton-growing regions in New South Wales and Queensland in 2002 and 2004 was analysed using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs). Twenty-eight haplotypes were identified based on 146 polymorphic bands generated with four Eco RI and Mse I and four Hind III and Mse I primer combinations. The haplotypes separated into two distinct groups (37% similarity), with 21 in group I and seven in group II. The two unique vegetative compatibility groups of Fov known to occur in Australia (VCG 01111 and VCG 01112) were correlated to the two AFLP groups, with both VCG 01111 reference isolates being included in group I and both VCG 01112 reference isolates in group II. Group I was widespread, occurring in all regions sampled and all but one of the fields, while group II was limited to three fields in the Boggabilla region. Group I was further divided into two subgroups. The two haplotypes in subgroup I-B (I-20 and I-21) may represent the emergence of a new form of Fov based on their marked genetic discrimination from the subgroup I-A haplotypes. No spatial population differentiation was discernible at the national level, as only 3·9% of total genetic variation was attributed to differences among regions ( P =  0·4868). When each region was analysed separately, clear differentiation was found in the Boggabilla region, with 86·3% of total genetic variation resulting from differences among fields ( P <  0·0001).     

Effect of temperature on conidial germination, mycelial growth and aggressiveness of the defoliating and nondefoliating pathotypes of Verticillium dahliae from cotton in China

Three defoliating (D) pathotype isolates and five nondefoliating (ND) pathotype isolates of Verticillium dahliae from cotton in central China were tested for adaptation to various temperatures in conidial germination on water agar (10?C33°C), mycelial growth on potato dextrose agar (10?C33°C) and infection of cotton seedlings (Gossypium hirsutum cvs. ??E Mian 24?? and ??Yin Rui 361??) (25?C33°C). Results showed that the D-pathotype isolates adapted better than the ND-pathotype isolates to 30°C for conidial germination and mycelial growth, although the isolates of the two pathotypes had the same optimum temperature of 25°C. Under day/night temperatures of 25/25, 27/27 and 30/25°C for 20 and 25?days, the D-pathotype isolates induced the defoliation syndrome on seedlings of the two upland cotton cultivars, whereas the ND-pathotype isolates did not induce defoliation syndrome. The values for the areas under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and the vascular discoloration index (VDI) were higher for the D-pathotype isolates than those for the ND-pathotype isolates in each temperature treatment. Under 30/30 or 33/27°C, at least two of the three D-pathotype isolates still had higher AUDPC values and/or VDI values than all the ND-pathotype isolates on E Mian 24. Therefore, the D-pathotype isolates appear more aggressive than the ND-pathotype isolates in infection of cotton. Results also showed that the cotton cultivar Yin Rui 361 was more tolerant than the cotton cultivar E Mian 24 to infection by both pathotypes of V. dahliae. This study suggests that the D-pathotype isolates can well adapt to high temperature and heavily infect cotton under 25?C30°C, and these features might be responsible for the rapid spread of this pathotype in central China.     

The recent history of Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici in Denmark as revealed by disease incidence and AFLP markers

Disease observations and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to study recent developments in the Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici population in Denmark. The fungus appeared spontaneously at 10 locations in Denmark in 1997 after it was not observed under natural conditions in 1996. The pattern of disease development and prevailing winds suggested that the fungus reappeared by airborne spores from the south or west. In 1998, disease incidence was more evenly distributed throughout the country. Forty-eight single lesion isolates were collected from most crops where the disease was observed in these years; all except one from 1997 belonged to two pathotypes that were not previously detected in the country, and both possessed the newly discovered Yr17 virulence. The isolates were characterized with AFLP markers together with 28 isolates representing eight of 13 pathotypes observed prior to 1996. Initial screening of 240 Pst I/ Mse I AFLP primer combinations on four isolates showed that a primer combination, on average, revealed 0·4 polymorphisms between any isolate pair. A selection of 21 primer combinations resulted in 28 AFLP markers, which revealed 16 AFLP phenotypes among all 76 isolates. The two Yr17- virulent pathotypes consisted of three AFLP phenotypes, which were observed in both 1997 and 1998; the two most frequent AFLP phenotypes occurred at most sampling locations and often within the same crop. AFLP diversity was larger among samples collected prior to 1996, and also in this period most AFLP phenotypes were observed at different sampling locations. These results are consistent with the features of an entirely asexually reproducing pathogen dispersed by aerial spores across large areas.     

常熟地区蚕豆枯萎病病原菌鉴定及其致病力初探

2000、2001年在江苏省常熟地区采集了有典型枯萎症状的蚕豆标样各50个,获94个镰刀菌单孢菌株。经鉴定分别属于尖孢镰孢(Fusarium axysporum)、燕麦镰孢(F.avenaceum)、串珠镰孢(F.moniliforme )、木贼镰孢(F.equiseti)、三线镰孢(F.tricinctum)、禾谷镰孢(F.graminearum)和茄镰孢(F.solani),其中尖孢镰孢、燕麦镰孢、串珠镰孢、木贼镰孢为该地区蚕豆镰刀菌枯萎病的主要病原菌。测定了48个镰刀菌菌株对蚕豆的致病力,尖孢镰孢、木贼镰孢、串珠镰孢和燕麦镰孢对蚕豆的致病力都较强。用蚕豆枯萎病菌和棉花枯萎病菌交叉接种棉花和蚕豆,结果表明两者存在着较强的交互侵染能力。     

Evolution of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum Races Inferred from Multigene Genealogies

ABSTRACT Fusarium wilt of cotton is a serious fungal disease responsible for significant yield losses throughout the world. Evolution of the causal organism Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum, including the eight races described for this specialized form, was studied using multigene genealogies. Partial sequences of translation elongation factor (EF-1alpha), nitrate reductase (NIR), phosphate permase (PHO), and the mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) rDNA were sequenced in 28 isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum selected to represent the global genetic diversity of this forma specialis. Results of a Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks Templeton test indicated that sequences of the four genes could be combined. In addition, using combined data from EF-1alpha and mtSSU rDNA, the phylogenetic origin of F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum within the F. oxysporum complex was evaluated by the Kishino-Hasegawa likelihood test. Results of this test indicated the eight races of F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum appeared to be nonmonophyletic, having at least two independent, or polyphyletic, evolutionary origins. Races 3 and 5 formed a strongly supported clade separate from the other six races. The combined EF-1alpha, NIR, PHO, and mtSSU rDNA sequence data from the 28 isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum recovered four lineages that correlated with differences in virulence and geographic origin: lineage I contained race 3, mostly from Egypt, and race 5 from Sudan; lineage II contained races 1, 2, and 6 from North and South America and Africa; lineage III contained race 8 from China; and lineage IV contained isolates of races 4 and 7 from India and China, respectively.     

新疆棉花枯萎病菌群体结构的研究

 采自新疆24个不同植棉县(市或团场)的37株棉花枯萎病菌代表菌株,经人工接种于国际通用鉴别寄主,致病性反应均表现为典型的7号生理小种特征。RAPD分析结果也显示出这37个供试菌株与7号小种各对照菌株间基因组DNA的指纹图谱高度相似,属同一遗传相似组,而与3号和8号小种的对照菌株间遗传差异较大,亲缘关系较远,即7号生理小种是组成目前新疆棉花枯萎病菌群体的优势小种,而原分布于新疆吐鲁番等地的3号小种在本研究中未被发现。结合部分自选辅助鉴别寄主对其中18个菌株进行的致病力分化研究表明,在7号小种内部还存在着侵染力的分化,显示出棉花枯萎病菌较强的变异性和适应性。     

Stepwise Evolution of Races in Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris Inferred from Fingerprinting with Repetitive DNA Sequences

ABSTRACT Plant pathogens often exhibit variation in virulence, the ability to cause disease on host plants with specific resistance, evident from the diversity of races observed within pathogen species. The evolution of races in asexual fungal pathogens has been hypothesized to occur in a stepwise fashion, in which mutations to virulence accumulate sequentially in clonal lineages, resulting in races capable of overcoming multiple host plant resistance genes or multiple resistant cultivars. In this study, we demonstrate a simple stepwise pattern of race evolution in Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris, the fungus that causes Fusarium wilt of chickpeas. The inferred intraspecific phylogeny of races in this fungus, based on DNA fingerprinting with repetitive sequences, shows that each of the eight races forms a monophyletic lineage. By mapping virulence to each differential cultivar (used for defining races) onto the inferred phylogeny, we show that virulence has been acquired in a simple stepwise pattern, with few parallel gains or losses. Such a clear pattern of stepwise evolution of races, to our knowledge, has not been demonstrated previously for other pathogens based on analyses of field populations. We speculate that in other systems the stepwise pattern is obscured by parallel gains or losses of virulence caused by higher mutation rates and selection by widespread deployment of resistant cultivars. Although chickpea cultivars resistant to Fusarium wilt are available, their deployment has not been extensive and the stepwise acquisition of virulence is still clearly evident.     

A Near-Isogenic Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici Strain with a Novel Combination of Avirulence Characteristics

ABSTRACT A novel Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici strain (F1-27) was obtained from protoplast fusions between race 1 Fol004 (putative avirulence genotype A1a2a3) and race 2 Fol007 (a1A2A3). Bioassays using different tomato cultivars revealed new virulence characteristics for F1-27 that were mitotically stable. The corresponding avirulence genotype for F1-27 was assigned a1A2a3. Despite their distinction in avirulence genotype, molecular analysis revealed that parent Fol007 and F1-27 were near-isogenic strains. The electrophoretic karyotype of F1-27 was identical to that observed for Fol007. Foxy-amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) marker analysis showed that all Fol007-specific bands were present in F1-27. In addition, 11 new F1-27-specific Foxy insertions were identified. Segregation of both virulence and these new Foxy-AFLP markers was observed in a backcross between F1-27 and its parent Fol007. One marker was found to cosegregate with the a3 allele. The nature of the genetic change in this strain is discussed.     

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms, races and vegetative compatibility groups within a worldwide collection of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. gladioli

Isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. gladioli were collected from widely different geographic areas. These isolates were characterized by pathogenicity to two differential gladiolus cultivars, vegetative compatibility, and total genomic DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). RFLPs were used to estimate the genetic divergence and relationship among isolates of F. oxysporum. RFLPs were detected by Southern blot hybridization of total genomic DNA with a 3-4 kb DNA probe generated from total DNA off. oxysporum f.sp. dianthi. Cluster analysis allowed the division of pathogenic strains into three main RFLP groups, each group containing strains with similarity coefficients ranging from 78 to 100%. RFLP groups correlated with vegetative compatibility groups, not with races. Two single pathogenic isolates which could not be assigned to any of the three main vegetative compatibility groups also had distinctive RFLP patterns. Little genetic polymorphism was observed within vegetative compatibility groups, whereas the majority of RFLPs occurred between vegetative compatibility groups, suggesting a common ancestry for strains within a specific vegetative compatibility group and a polyphyletic origin for the present special form gladioli.     

我国棉花黄萎病菌致病力分化及ISSR指纹分析

 来自我国12个省84个县（市）的棉花黄萎病菌,在PDA培养基上存在5种不同的培养类型,其中,产生微菌核较多的B型菌株为优势类群,占72.9%。长江流域的菌株培养性状变异最大,新疆棉区的变异最小。致病力测定结果和ISSR指纹图谱均将167个单孢菌株划分为强、弱、中3个致病力类型,供试菌株的ISSR指纹图谱与菌株的致病力存在明显的相关性。中等致病力类型菌株在我国占主导地位;强致病力类型的菌株主要分布在河北、河南、湖北等省;弱致病力类型菌株主要分布在新疆和江苏。     

Inoculum Densities of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum and Meloidogyne incognita in Relation to the Development of Fusarium Wilt and the Phenology of Cotton Plants (Gossypium hirsutum)

ABSTRACT Development of Fusarium wilt in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) usually requires infections of plants by both Meloidogyne incognita and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum. In this study, the soil densities of M. incognita and F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum and the incidence of Fusarium wilt in three field sites were determined in 1982-1984. Multiple regression analysis of percent incidence of Fusarium wilt symptoms on population densities of M. incognita and F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum yielded a significant fit (R (2) = 0.64) only on F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum. Significant t-values for slope were also obtained for the interaction of M. incognita and F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum, but densities of M. incognita and F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum were also related on a log(10) scale. The physiological time of appearance of first foliar symptoms of Fusarium wilt, based on a degree-days threshold of 11.9 degrees C (53.5 degrees F), was used as a basis for determining disease progress curves and the phenology of cotton plant growth and development. Effects of Fusarium wilt on plant height and boll set were determined in three successive years. Increases in both of these plant characteristics decreased or stopped before foliar symptoms were apparent. Seed cotton yields of plant cohorts that developed foliar wilt symptoms early in the season (before 2,000 F degree-days) were variable but not much different in these years. This contrasted with cohorts of plants that first showed foliar symptoms late in the season (after 2,400 F degree-days) and cohorts of plants that showed no foliar symptoms of wilt. Regression analyses for 1982-1984 indicated moderate to weak correlations (r = 0.16-0.74) of the time of appearance of the first foliar symptoms and seed cotton yields.