Correlation between fusaric acid production and virulence of isolates ofFusarium oxysporum that causes potato dry rot in South Africa

Virulence of 12Fusarium oxysporum isolates was determined on three potato cultivars Late Harvest, BP1 and Kimberley Choice. The production of fusaric acid by the 12F. oxysporum isolates was also determined. The aim of the study was to determine whether a correlation exists between fusaric acid production and virulence ofF. oxysporum isolates. Late Harvest was the most tolerant and BP1 the most susceptible cultivar. Virulence ranking, order of theF. oxysporum isolates with the different cultivars corresponded with the mean of value of the ranking order for all three cultivars. A correlation was found between virulence of isolates and fusaric acid production except for Late Harvest. Fusaric acid production may play a major role in the development of dry rot in potato tubers.