Effect of plant growth promoting rhizobia on seed germination, growth promotion and suppression of Fusarium wilt of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)

Five bacterial strains (TR1 to TR5) isolated from root nodules of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) were tested for their plant growth promotory traits and biocontrol potential against Fusarium oxysporum. On the basis of morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular characteristics, strains TR1 and TR3 - TR5 were identified as Ensifer meliloti, and TR2 as Rhizobium leguminosarum. All bacterial isolates utilized phosphate in vitro. Except TR5, all isolates produced IAA and none of them showed volatile cyanogens production. Except TR3, all isolates produced in vitro siderophore. Isolate TR1 and TR4 showed chitinase production while only TR2 showed β-1,3-glucanase activity. Isolates TR1, TR2 and TR5 exhibited ACC deaminase activity. Isolates TR1, TR2 and TR4 inhibited the growth of F. oxysporum, causing loss of structural integrity of the mycelium, hyphal perforation, lysis, fragmentation and degradation. The potential for nodulation and nitrogen fixation of the strains were confirmed by amplification of 500 bp nodC and 781 bp nifH fragments. The application of the TR1 + TR2 combination resulted in increased grain yield by 35% and 36% of fenugreek in two consecutive field trials, respectively as compared to control. Maximum increments in vigour index, nodule number and root and shoot biomass were recorded with seed inoculated with consortium (TR1 + TR2) followed by single inoculation as compared to control. The antibiotic resistant marker strain of E. meliloti TR1^strep+ and R. leguminosarum TR2^tet+ confirmed the efficient colonization of fenugreek roots. This study showed that these rhizobial isolates have properties of biocontrol agents and may be applied to promote the growth of fenugreek.     

Management of fusarium basal rot (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae) on shallot through fungicidal bulb treatment

Fusarium basal rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cepae is an economic disease of shallot. Field experiments were conducted at Debre Zeit during 2006 and 2007 cropping seasons to determine effective fungicides and their method of application for the management of fusarium basal rot of shallot. The field was naturally infested with F. oxysporum f. sp. cepae and treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design in four replications. Five fungicides, Mirage 50 WP, Folicur 25 EC, Seed plus 30 WS, Penncozeb 80 WP and Ridomil Gold 68 WG were evaluated as seed bulb dressing and bulb dip treatments against basal rot in the field and storage. Bulb dressing with Mirage, and dip treatment in Seed plus reduced the disease incidence by 40% and 43%, respectively over control. These fungicides also resulted in a significant reduction in severity, basal rot affected cull bulbs on shallot. Bulb rot during three months of storage on concrete ground floor and on wire mesh shelves was also reduced by seed bulb treatment over control. The highest increase in yield was obtained from bulb dressing with Mirage (42%) and Seed plus (45%) and from bulb dip treatment in Seed plus (44%) over control. Fusarium basal rot caused 45% loss in yield and 12-30% of bulb loss in the storage. The study showed that basal rot of shallot can be managed effectively by seed bulb dressing or dip treatment in Mirage or Seed plus.     

Evaluation of actinomycete isolates obtained from herbal vermicompost for the biological control of Fusarium wilt of chickpea

A total of 137 actinomycetes cultures, isolated from 25 different herbal vermicomposts, were characterized for their antagonistic potential against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri (FOC) by dual-culture assay. Of the isolates, five most promising FOC antagonistic isolates (CAI-24, CAI-121, CAI-127, KAI-32 and KAI-90) were characterized for the production of siderophore, cellulase, protease, hydrocyanic acid (HCN), indole acetic acid (IAA) and antagonistic potential against Rhizoctonia bataticola, which causes dry root rot in chickpea (three strains viz. RB-6, RB-24 and RB-115) and sorghum (one strain). All of the five FOC antagonistic isolates produced siderophore and HCN, four of them (except KAI-90) produced IAA, KAI-32 and KAI-90 produced cellulase and CAI-24 and CAI-127 produced protease. In the dual-culture assay, three of the isolates, CAI-24, KAI-32 and KAI-90, also inhibited all three strains of R. bataticola in chickpea, while two of them (KAI-32 and KAI-90) inhibited the tested strain in sorghum. When the FOC antagonistic isolates were evaluated further for their antagonistic potential in the greenhouse and wilt-sick field conditions on chickpea, 45-76% and 4-19% reduction of disease incidence were observed, respectively compared to the control. The sequences of 16S rDNA gene of the isolates CAI-24, CAI-121, CAI-127, KAI-32 and KAI-90 were matched with Streptomyces tsusimaensis, Streptomyces caviscabies, Streptomyces setonii, Streptomyces africanus and an identified species of Streptomyces, respectively using the BLAST searching. This study indicated that the selected actinomycete isolates have the potential for biological control of Fusarium wilt disease in chickpea.     

Efficacy of plant extracts and biocontrol agents against Pythium aphanidermatum inciting chilli damping-off

The fungitoxic effects of 66 medicinal plants belonging to different families were evaluated in vitro on Pythium aphanidermatum, the causal agent of chilli damping-off. Of these, Zimmu leaf extract (Allium sativum L. × Allium cepa L.) showed the highest inhibition of mycelial growth of P. aphanidermatum (13.7 mm). The antimicrobial compounds were isolated from Zimmu leaf extract and 22 compounds were identified through gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC–MS). Biocontrol agents Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens and Zimmu extract were also tested alone and together in vitro and in vivo experiments for control of P. aphanidermatum. The in vitro studies revealed that combination of T. viride + P. fluorescens + Zimmu leaf extract showed the highest mycelial growth inhibition over the control. Both antagonists were compatible with each other and with Zimmu leaf extract. The pot culture studies revealed that seed treatment with combined application of T. viride + P. fluorescens + Zimmu leaf extract was superior in reducing the pre and post-emergence damping-off incidence (8.3 and 17.0%, respectively), and increased the plant growth and yield (shoot length and root length of 13.7 and 6.3 cm, 146 g/plant, respectively) of chilli when compared to control.     

Effects of soil amendment with poultry manure on carnation Fusarium wilt in greenhouses in southwest Spain

In a search for alternatives to methyl bromide for controlling carnation vascular wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi (Fod), poultry manure plus soil solarization was studied in soil under greenhouse conditions in four 2-year experiments. These were conducted in naturally infested soil to compare the effects of this treatment with soil solarization alone and methyl bromide. Soil treatments were performed during June 2000 for Experiment 1, from July to mid-August 2002 for Experiment 2, from late July to late August 2006 for Experiment 3 and from late May to late June 2008 for Experiment 4. Additionally, a treatment with commercial poultry manure pellet plus soil solarization was included in the two latter experiments. Poultry manure caused reductions of Fod viability in soil samples at depths of 15 and 30 cm, ranging respectively from 93 to 100% and 89 to 100% for Experiments 1, 2 and 3. Carnations planted in plots treated either with poultry manure, methyl bromide or soil solarization had lower final disease incidences, smaller areas under their disease progress curves and higher yields in comparison with untreated plots in Experiments 2, 3 and 4. In Experiment 1, soil solarization was performed under suboptimal conditions, and it provided disease levels and yields similar to those of the untreated control plots. Nevertheless, under the same conditions, previous amendment of Fod-infested soil with poultry manure increased disease control over soil solarization alone, improved carnation yield and quality and also increased plant vigor, thus providing a satisfactory alternative to methyl bromide. The application of organic amendment to the same plot before every crop cycle is recommended to ensure continuous disease control, but the rates of application could be reduced to half for the third and fourth crop cycles, thereby reducing undesirable environmental effects.     

Mycoparasitic Trichoderma viride as a biocontrol agent against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. adzuki and Pythium arrhenomanes and as a growth promoter of soybean

Trichoderma viride was proved as an effective biocontrol agent against two fungal pathogens, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. adzuki and Pythium arrhenomanes, infecting soybean. During an in vitro biocontrol test, Trichoderma showed mycoparasitism and destructive control against the tested fungal pathogens. Both the pathogens significantly influence the germination and P. arrhenomanes had a severe effect (only 5% germination). The root system of the soybean plant was poorly developed due to the infection and it exerted a negative influence on the nodulation and further growth phases of the plant. During pot assay along with biocontrol activity, Trichoderma showed growth promoting action on the soybean plant. Trichoderma enhanced growth of shoot and root systems and fruit yield after 12 weeks of growth. Pythium and Fusarium infected plants treated with Trichoderma had ∼194% and 141% more height than pathogens alone. The fruit yield treated with Trichoderma was ∼66 per plant whereas the yield was only 41 for a control plant. The plants infected with Pythium and Fusarium and treated with Trichoderma had fruit yields of 43 and 53 respectively and those were 5 and 1.6 times higher than plants infected with pathogens.     

Disinfection using ozone microbubbles to inactivate Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum

To establish a method for disinfecting hydroponic culture solutions using ozone microbubbles (OMB), we examined the disinfectant activity of OMB against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum in infected plant roots. OMB had a higher solubility and remained in the water for a longer period than ozone millibubbles, resulting in extremely high disinfecting activity against both phytopathogens. Furthermore, disinfectant activity and durability of OMB-treated water against both phytopathogens increased with an increase in the initial concentration of dissolved ozone. Therefore, these results suggest that OMB may be suitable for use as a new disinfectant against phytopathogens in hydroponic culture solutions.     

Isolation and characterization of chitinolytic rhizobacteria for the management of Fusarium wilt in tomato

Sixty-three chitinase producing rhizobacteria (CRB) were isolated from 57 rhizospheric soil samples of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) growing in different regions of Karnataka, India. Among these, 13 CRB isolates were selected based on their ability to produce chitinase, colonize roots of tomato seedlings and reduce Fusarium wilt incidence. Four of these isolates produced statistically higher levels of chitinase and also zone of clearance/colony size (CZ/CS) ratios. One Bacillus subtilis isolate (CRB20) substantially reduced the severity of Fusarium wilt under greenhouse conditions. Combined application of chitin or crude fungal cell wall (CFCW) along with this isolate, substantially enhanced the ability of the isolate to colonize tomato roots and reduced the severity of Fusarium wilt. Under greenhouse conditions, amendments of chitin and CFCW along with isolate CRB20 significantly enhanced plant height, fresh weight, number of fruits per plant and average weight of fruit compared to the untreated control. The study clearly established the significance of CRB isolates and chitin/CFCW amendment in promoting plant growth and suppression of Fusarium oxysporum, and indicated the possibility of their use for Fusarium wilt management in tomato cultivation.     

A disease survey of Fusarium wilt and Alternaria blight on sweet potato in South Africa

A disease survey was conducted on sweet potato in the major production areas of South Africa in 2006-2008 to determine the importance of wilt disease (WD) and Alternaria blight (AB) caused by Alternaria bataticola. The disease prevalence, incidence and severity were assessed for both WD and AB in 58 sweet potato fields in seven provinces, and included both commercial and resource-poor growers. The prevalence of WD in commercial fields was significantly higher than in resource-poor fields; while disease incidence and severity were very low in both commercial and resource-poor fields. Soil pH showed a moderate negative linear correlation to WD severity. WD is at present considered a minor disease of sweet potato in South Africa, although local outbreaks can be damaging. AB had very low disease prevalence, incidence and severity levels in both commercial and resource-poor fields countrywide. However, one of the fields had moderately high disease incidence and severity levels, showing that the disease can be destructive if not controlled. AB should be considered a potentially destructive disease of sweet potato in South Africa. Fusarium oxysporum was consistently isolated from WD plants, with F. oxysporum f. sp. batatas identified, but other formae speciales were also associated with the disease.     

Characterization of Solanum chomatophilum resistance to 2 aphid potato pests, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer)

The aphids Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are responsible for yield reduction in potato (Solanum tuberosum) production by direct phloem feeding and by spreading viruses. Breeding resistant traits from Solanum chomatophilum into the potato germplasm provides alternative means to control aphid infestations. Integrated pest management strategy, using plant resistance, benefits from the characterization of the resistance and of its impact on aphid biology. Our objective was to characterize the resistance of S. chomatophilum by assessing the effects of accessions, plant parts on aphid performance, and by assessing the impact of the resistance factors on different aphid developmental stages and on alate morph production. Detailed aphid performance was obtained by measuring fecundity, survival, percentage of nymphs that reached adult moult, and population growth using whole plant and clip cage experimental designs. Accession and plant physiological age, but not aphid developmental stage, influenced all life-history parameters, except for alate morph production which was not induced on the resistant accessions. Plant part influence was independent of plant species and accession. Both experimental designs resulted in congruent resistance levels at the accession level for each of the two aphid species, supporting the use of any of them in S. chomatophilum resistance screening. PI243340 was resistant to both aphid species, while PI365324 and PI310990 were also resistant to M. euphorbiae and M. persicae, respectively.     

Effects of leaf scales of different pineapple cultivars on the epiphytic stage of Fusarium guttiforme

The fungus Fusarium guttiforme (Syn. F. subglutinans f. sp. ananas) is responsible for fusariosis, one of the main phytosanitary threats to pineapple (Ananas comosus var. comosus). A structural study comparing epidermal differences in pineapple cultivars resistant and susceptible to fusariosis was performed, relating properties of the epidermis to known susceptibility to the disease. The basal, non-chlorophylled, portions of mature leaves of pineapple plants were analyzed by light and electron microscopy. All cultivars showed common morpho-anatomic aspects characteristic of Bromeliaceae, such as scutiform scales and unstratified epidermis. However, cultivar Vitoria (resistant) had less scales than cultivars Smooth Cayenne (susceptible, intermediate severity) and Perola (susceptible, with extreme severity of fusariosis symptoms). Inoculation of conidia suspension (10⁵ conidia ml⁻¹) of the fungus F. guttiforme to leaves and harvesting 24 h later yielded numbers of viable colonies related to the density of leaf scales. This suggests that scales can act as havens for fungal conidia and favour the epiphytic stage of the fungus on pineapple plants, and are involved in the interaction of plant and pathogen. A reduction in scale numbers was related to lower infection levels and is relevant to the future breeding programme for development of new pineapple cultivars resistant to fusariosis and their involvement in integrated control strategies.     

Effects of crop rotation of soybean with corn on severity of sudden death syndrome and population densities of Heterodera glycines in naturally infested soil

Sudden death syndrome, caused by Fusarium virguliforme, and the soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines, combined cause the highest yield losses in soybean. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of corn rotated annually with soybean on reducing severity of sudden death syndrome (SDS) and if such crop rotation is beneficial to soybean root health and thus improves disease management strategies. Experiments were conducted from 2003 to 2006 through two cycles of a corn–soybean rotation on two commercial fields in Indiana. With one exception, the rotation of soybean with corn did not provide yield benefits compared to monoculture of soybean. Severity of foliar and root symptoms of SDS in rotation plots were never less than in soybean monoculture plots. At one location, soybean monoculture resulted in suppression of SDS compared to the corn–soybean rotation, while H. glycines reproduced freely. At the other location, monoculture of soybean resulted in suppressiveness against H. glycines, while SDS was limited in all treatments. The data suggest that soil suppressiveness can independently impact the pathogens that are important in SDS development. Because H. glycines can increase SDS symptoms, its suppression may also reduce severity of SDS. Current production systems consisting of yearly rotation of soybean with corn are highly vulnerable to the development of severe soil-borne disease complexes. The simple year-to-year rotation of corn and soybean is not considered sustainable. While monoculture of soybean resulted in some disease suppression in these trials, reliance on monoculture may be detrimental due to other environmental considerations beyond the scope of these trials. Including other crops may be beneficial in improving the sustainability of soybean and corn production systems.     

Potential of extracts of the tropical plant Balanites aegyptiaca (L) Del. (Balanitaceae) to control the mealy bug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae)

The effects of extracts of different parts of the perennial tropical plant Balanites aegyptiaca (L) Del., including various solvent extracts of roots, methanol extracts from leaves, fruits, flowers and roots, partially purified saponins obtained from its roots and a standard saponin were studied on the life cycle (adult longevity, number of eggs, crawlers, adults, weight of adults and % wax content) of a laboratory-reared parthenogenic line of the mealy bug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae). Extracts derived from various parts of B. aegyptiaca (leaves, fruits, flowers, and roots in methanol) affected the life cycle of M. hirsutus with a methanol root extract being the most effective at a concentration of 500 μg ml⁻¹. Partially purified saponin of B. aegyptiaca and the commercial bark saponin extract (Sigma) from Quillaja saponaria at a concentration of 500 μg ml⁻¹ were effective in reducing the longevity of M. hirsutus. Significant reductions in oviposition by M. hirsutus were found for all the extracts at a concentration of 500 μg ml⁻¹. Extracts also affected the number of emerging crawlers, number of adults as well as the weight and wax content of emerging adults. These studies suggest that B. aegyptiaca plant extracts and saponins can be useful botanical insecticides for the protection of crops from mealy bugs.     

Insecticidal effects of Ungernia severtzovii bulb extracts against the grain aphid Schizaphis graminum (Rondani)

Insecticidal effect of Ungernia severtzovii bulbs extract has been investigated against the grain aphid Schizaphis graminum. LC₅₀ value of the ethanolic extract of U. severtzovii against the female aphids was 0.235% (2.35 g/l). There was 100% mortality of the subsequent nymphs of the treated females at 0.25-1.0%. The extract was equally active against the nymphs at the highest concentrations. Hexane and ethanolic extracts were the most active against the aphids of all the extracts. Fractionation of the hexane extract by TLC yielded three fractions. Fraction II was the most active (>90% mortality) against the aphids. Xanthoxylin was identified as the major constituent in fraction II of the hexane extract and may be responsible for the insecticidal effect of U. severtzovii.     

Differential expression of defence-related proteins in Vigna unguiculata (L. Walp.) seedlings after infection with Fusarium oxysporum

This work aimed to study the induction of defence proteins in cowpea seedlings during the first days after infection with the fungi Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubenses and F. oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli. Cowpea seeds, after disinfection, were transferred to Petri dishes containing 0.5% agar and, after germination, were infected with a drop of a suspension containing 0.5 × 10⁴ spores ml⁻¹. Seedlings were collected at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after infection and were dissected into leaves, hypocotyls, roots, cotyledons and teguments, which were measured and weighed for morphometric analysis. The agar medium was also analyzed. Enzymatic assays of proteic extracts yielded antimicrobial peptides detected by Western blotting. The cowpea seedlings showed a complex pattern of induction and repression of defence proteins in response to infection by both pathogens. Furthermore, morphometric analysis showed differences between infected and control seedlings. Infected samples did not at any time exhibit chitinase activity, but did exhibit different β-1,3-glucanase and peroxidase activities. Western blotting for lipid transfer protein (LTP) demonstrated its presence in all parts of the infected seedlings. Exuded proteins, also obtained from cowpea seeds in the germination medium, were separated by SDS-PAGE and tricine gel electrophoresis. The analysis showed that some proteins were exuded from moistened cowpea seeds, particularly after F. oxysporum infection.     

Studies onFusarium wilt of potatoes. 2. Leaf,sprout and tuber infection in artificial inoculations

Summary In artificial inoculations it was found thatFusarium oxysporum f.sp.tuberosi is able to penetrate through potato leaves. The fungus was isolated from the stem of infected plants from all inoculated cultivars. Tubers were completely destroyed if they were inoculated before sprouting. Not any destruction was observed if inoculation was made before young sprouts are longer than 1–3 cm; plants from these sprouts were infected. Lesioned tubers were more sensitive than unlesioned ones, and tuber rot and sprout damage were increased significantly.     

Feeding perturbation and toxic activity of five Chrysanthemum species crude extracts against Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae)

The effect of the whole methanol extracts of five Chrysanthemum species on feeding and performance of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) larvae has been investigated in vitro. The extracts exhibited an anti-feeding and phagostimulating activities against cotton leafworm larvae when applied either on leaf discs or incorporated into an artificial diet. Under chosen conditions, the antifeedant index calculated over 24 h for sixth instar larvae significantly varied from 78.55 for Chrysanthemum segetum L. to −44.18 for Chrysanthemum fuscatum Desf. at the dose of 1000 ppm. Toxicity of the extracts was manifested by a high mortality, reduced growth rates, and low weight gain by larvae fed on diets containing 1000–10,000 ppm of the extract. Anyone of the larvae treated with Chrysanthemum macrotum (D.R.) Ball. leaves crude extract survived to pupation at the two higher concentrations. The time to pupation increased for Chrysanthemum grandiflorum flowers crude extract from 11.40 ± 0.93 to 28.93 ± 10.92 days as the extract concentration in the diet increased from 0 to 10,000 ppm. The ingestion of crude extract by the third instar larvae reduced significantly the consumption, growth and utilisation of the ingested and digested food, and reduced digestibility.     

Biological control of Macrophomina phaseolina by chemotactic fluorescent Pseudomonas aeruginosa PN1 and its plant growth promotory activity in chir-pine

Ten strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PN1 ˜ PN10) isolated from rhizosphere of chir-pine were tested for their plant growth promontory properties and antagonistic activities against Macrophomina phaseolina in vitro and in vivo. P. aeruginosa PN1 produced siderophore, IAA, cyanogen and solubilized phosphorus, besides producing chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase. In dual culture, P. aeruginosa PN1 caused 69% colony growth inhibition. However, cell free culture filtrate also posed inhibitory effect but to a lesser extent. After 90 days, P. aeruginosa PN1 increased plant growth and biomass in pots trial containing M. phaseolina-infested soil. PN1 showed the strong chemotaxis toward root exudates resulting in effective root colonization. Moreover, increased population in rhizosphere of these bacteria was also recorded after 90 days of treatment. Thus, chemotactic fluorescent P. aeruginosa PN1 exhibited strong antagonistic property against M. phaseolina, suppressed the disease and improved plant growth of the seedlings of chir-pine proving potential biocontrol agent.     

Effect of antagonistic Fusarium spp. and of different commercial biofungicide formulations on Fusarium wilt of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

The ability of antagonistic Fusarium spp. to control Fusarium wilt of basil caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. basilici was tested under glasshouse conditions from 1994 to 1996. Fusarium oxysporum antagonistic strain 251/2, a protoplast fusion-derived hybrid coded FI-11 and F. moniliforme strains TF4 and TF4 RB were able to decrease (P = 0.05) the incidence of Fusarium wilt significantly. Biocontrol was consistent, especially when the antagonists were applied by mixing a talc preparation of propagules in the substrate (10⁵ CFU/ml of substrate) 1–2 weeks before sowing or at sowing. Seed coating with the biocontrol strains (10⁸ CFU/g of seed) did not generally provide sufficient disease containment, whereas the combination of substrate treatment and seed coating did not improve wilt control in comparison with substrate treatment alone. Two commercial formulations, based on antagonistic F. oxysporum strains and one containing the antagonistic strain K61 of Streptomyces griseoviridis, were generally not sufficiently effective at the tested dosages.     

香蕉枯萎病菌及其粗毒素对香蕉的致病性比较

从8种培养液中筛选出能诱导香蕉枯萎病菌4号小种(Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cubense race4)FOCAAA315菌株高产毒素的改良CzapekB培养液,FOCAAA315菌株在该培养液中培养第15d,镰刀菌酸(FA)产量高达669.2mg/L,蔗糖为诱导产毒的最佳碳源。采用伤根浸渍法接种,测定枯萎病菌和病菌发酵粗毒素对香蕉组培苗的致病性。结果表明,粗毒素接种可诱发与病原菌类似的病害症状。受侵染的植物组织在细胞水平上发生一系列形态结构和生理生化代谢的病理变化,包括细胞壁消解、侵填体堵塞气腔、粘胶质减少、淀粉量减少、细胞木质化和黄褐色胶状物堵塞导管等。香蕉枯萎病菌的粗毒素是重要的致病化学物质;利用病菌孢子悬浮液在香蕉苗期接种,可以作为室内快速鉴定香蕉品种抗病性的方法。