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Abstract
Fusarium wilt, caused by the soilborne ascomycete fungus, Fusarium oxysporum forma specialis niveum (FON), is one of the most damaging diseases of watermelons worldwide.
Management of FON is difficult due to the presence of four races (0, 1, 2, and 3), which are
increasingly pathogenic on resistant watermelon cultivars. Additionally, there is only one
fungicide (Proline) available to manage FON on watermelon. A loop mediated isothermal
amplification assay was developed for rapid and specific molecular detection of FON. Through
whole genome sequencing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed to differentiate
FON race 3 from races 1 and 2. Additionally, FON isolates sensitive to Proline (a.i.
prothioconazole) were mutagenized to generate fungicide resistant mutants. Sanger sequencing
and an expression analysis via qPCR amplification of CYP51 showed 2 point mutations in the
coding region and a statistically significant increase in gene expression in resistant mutants
compared to the sensitive isolates.
Management of FON is difficult due to the presence of four races (0, 1, 2, and 3), which are
increasingly pathogenic on resistant watermelon cultivars. Additionally, there is only one
fungicide (Proline) available to manage FON on watermelon. A loop mediated isothermal
amplification assay was developed for rapid and specific molecular detection of FON. Through
whole genome sequencing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed to differentiate
FON race 3 from races 1 and 2. Additionally, FON isolates sensitive to Proline (a.i.
prothioconazole) were mutagenized to generate fungicide resistant mutants. Sanger sequencing
and an expression analysis via qPCR amplification of CYP51 showed 2 point mutations in the
coding region and a statistically significant increase in gene expression in resistant mutants
compared to the sensitive isolates.