Characterisation of Strains of <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> f.sp. <i>cubense</i> by Production of Volatiles

Abstract

The production of volatiles on steamed rice by Australian isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense correlated well with race and vegetative compatibility group (VCG). All race 4 isolates (VCGs 0120, 0129) produced distinctive volatile odours which gave characteristic gas chromatograms where the num- ber of peaks equated to VCG. Race 1 (VCGs 0124, 0125) and race 2 (VCG 0128) isolates, as well as non-pathogenic isolates of F. oxysporum from the banana rhizosphere, did not produce detectable volatiles and gave chromatograms without significant peaks.