A useful method for preparing microsclerotial inoculum of Verticillium dahliae

Various methods of inoculating plants with Verticillium dahliae have been described; however, so far, there are no effective preparations of its microsclerotia, a major source of infection under natural field conditions. In this study, we developed a simple and effective method to prepare microsclerotial inoculum of V. dahliae using a cellophane medium that effectively promoted microsclerotia formation. In addition, a sieving process allowed the preparation of inoculum exclusively composed of microsclerotia. Our novel method provides a reproducible and stable inoculum for disease induction by V. dahliae under conditions that approximate natural infections.