Testing of compatibility among the fusarium isolates from tomato, brinjal and chilli in vitro

Abstract

The study aimed to test the in vitro compatibility of Fusarium isolates from tomato, brinjal and chili using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) as a growth medium. The experiment, conducted in February 2024 at the Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, tested four combinations of Fusarium isolates: tomato + brinjal, tomato + chili, brinjal + chili and tomato + brinjal + chili. Pure cultures were prepared using the single spore technique, and pathogen identification was confirmed by analyzing colony morphology and spore characteristics. The isolates were inoculated in petri plates under aseptic conditions and incubated at 28±1 °C. Growth rates were observed at 2, 5 and 8 days after inoculation. The results showed compatibility between tomato and brinjal isolates, with complete coverage by the 8th day, while distinct mycelial layers indicated incompatibility in combinations involving chili isolates. These findings contribute to understanding Fusarium isolate interactions, particularly the incompatibility reactions of chili isolates with both tomato and brinjal under controlled conditions.