Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Fusarium spp Associated with Solanaceous Seeds in Burkina Faso
Tinlé Cyrille ZOMBRE *
Laboratoire de phytopathologie, Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA), Station de Farako-Ba, 01 BP 910 Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso.
Zoéyandé Oumarou DIANDA
Laboratoire de phytopathologie, Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA), Station de Farako-Ba, 01 BP 910 Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso.
Moussa SONDO
Laboratoire de phytopathologie, Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA), Station de Farako-Ba, 01 BP 910 Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso.
Mariama AMADOU SOUMAÏLA
Laboratoire Biosciences, Université Joseph KI-Zerbo, 03BP 7021, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
Boubakar OUATTARA
Laboratoire de phytopathologie, Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA), Station de Farako-Ba, 01 BP 910 Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso.
Rimnoma Serge OUEDRAOGO
Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States.
Kadidia KOÏTA
Laboratoire Biosciences, Université Joseph KI-Zerbo, 03BP 7021, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
Issa WONNI
Laboratoire de phytopathologie, Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA), Station de Farako-Ba, 01 BP 910 Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The Solanaceae family, comprising tomato, pepper, chili, and eggplant, plays a pivotal role in agriculture in Burkina Faso. However, these crops face significant biotic challenges, notably from fungi of the Fusarium genus, which are responsible for severe diseases and yield losses that can reach up to 80%. Beyond their devastating effects on both the quantity and quality of harvests, these pathogens also produce mycotoxins that compromise food safety. This study aims to enhance the production of Solanaceous crops by characterizing the Fusarium fungal agents associated with their seeds in Burkina Faso. A sanitary analysis of 400 seeds per seed type (both disinfected and non-disinfected) identified 11 fungal genera, including Fusarium, Colletotrichum, Curvularia, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Didymella, Epicoccum, Melanospora, Spirodactylon, Rhizopus, and Stachybotrys, with varying proportions depending on the genus. Among these, Fusarium spp. predominated, even after disinfection, though fungal diversity and contamination rates were lower. Microscopic and molecular analyses revealed several Fusarium species, including F. solani, F. proliferatum, F. incarnatum, and F. equiseti. Pathogenicity tests showed a high incidence of Fusarium wilt on seedlings, with variability based on the isolates and crops. Specifically, isolates T2F, P3F, and Pi1F exhibited particularly aggressive behavior on tomato, pepper, and chili, respectively. These findings underscore the urgent need for effective seed management to limit the spread of these pathogens and safeguard agricultural productivity in Burkina Faso.
Keywords: Solanaceae, seeds, sanitary analysis, pathogenicity, virulence, Burkina Faso