Determining the most effective culture media for in-vitro growth of the lentil wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporum F. sp. lentis

Abstract

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is an important pulse crop, but its productivity is severely affected by wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum F. sp. lentis. A survey conducted during the Rabi season of 2024-25 in the Sohawal block of Satna district revealed typical wilt symptoms at different crop growth stages, including chlorosis, vascular discoloration, and plant collapse. The pathogen was isolated from infected roots and stems and identified as Fusarium oxysporum F. sp. lentis based on cultural and morphological characteristics. The growth response of the fungus was evaluated on three culture media Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA), and Corn Meal Agar (CMA). Among the tested media, PDA supported significantly higher radial growth at 3, 5, and 7 days after inoculation, followed by CMA, while SDA showed the least growth. The study concludes that PDA is the most suitable medium for the optimal growth of Fusarium oxysporum F. sp. lentis, which is essential for further pathological and management studies.