Fusarium fujikuroi as a potential biocontrol agent of the parasitic weed Phelipanche aegyptiaca in tomato

Phelipanche aegyptiaca (Pers.) Pomel, commonly known as Egyptian broomrape, is an obligate root parasite, infesting solanaceous crops mainly in Mediterranean countries. Certain antagonistic fungi could be effectively used as a biocontrol agent for this parasitic plant. In this study, three fungal isolates (F1, F2 and F3) were obtained from P. aegyptiaca seeds covered with mycelium. The isolates were characterized based on morphological features and ITS and TEF sequence analysis. They were classified as belonging to Fusarium fujikuroi with a sequence similarity of 99.80% and 100%, respectively. The pathogenicity of the isolates on P. aegyptiaca and tomato were determined. In a P. aegyptiaca seed assay, all isolates allowed seed germination with delayed radicle development. Disease severity among the isolates ranged from 40%–70% on the basis of radicle necrotic area. The F1 isolate caused more than 40% disease on the spiders and tubercles in a polyethylene bag assay. The average of the total of spider and tubercle mortality caused by the F1 isolate was 63.5% at 9 days after inoculation. Moreover, the F1 isolate was considered non-pathogen on tomato with 6.66% disease severity after root inoculation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of F. fujikuroi on P. aegyptiaca seed. Pending further development, the F1 isolate could have potential for the biocontrol of P. aegyptiaca in the future.