Fusarium Species Causing Dry Rot of Carrot in Central Argentina

Abstract

Carrot (Daucus carota L. subsp. sativus) cultivation is important in Argentina, with the Garay department in Santa Fe provincebeing a key production area. In recent years, dry rot symptoms have afflicted various carrot cultivars, resulting in substantialfield losses and postharvest discards. Several soilborne pathogens, including Fusarium species, have been implicated in similarcarrot diseases globally. This study aimed to identify the specific causal agent responsible for dry rot in carrots in centralArgentina to enable targeted disease management strategies. Samples of symptomatic carrots were collected from fields in theGaray department. Fungal isolates were obtained from the infected tissue and subjected to morphological and molecular analyses.Pathogenicity tests were conducted to confirm the ability of the isolates to cause disease symptoms in carrots. Based on morphologicaland molecular identification, isolates were identified as Fusarium nirenbergiae, Fusarium triseptatum and Fusariumsolani. Pathogenicity tests demonstrated that the three Fusarium species were capable of causing dry rot symptoms in carrots.This study represents the first report of Fusarium nirenbergiae, Fusarium triseptatum and Fusarium solani causing dry rot incarrots in Argentina.