The influence of nutrient media on the development and esporulation of Fusarium solari f. piperi cultures

Abstract

Laboratory studies on the physiological behavior of the fungus Fusarium solani f. piperi, the etiological agent responsible for the root-and-foot rot and the stem drying of black pepper vines in the field, were made by utilizing six different kinds of solid synthetic media. In order to create a uniform hydrogen reaction in the nutrient media before sterilization, the pH was raised almost to the neutral point by adding drops of a 20% potassium hydroxide solution. Evaluation of the results was made considering the average diameter and dry weight of the cultures, as well as the number of spores formed and the speed of their germination in the different nutrient media. There is no relation between the diameter and dry weight of the spore colonies, the speed of germination and the number of spores per field of 100 micra diameter. Depending on the media utilized, the spores have demonstrated different speed of germination.The germinative tube first appears more frequently through the apical cell of the spore.