Growth characteristic of Fusarium solani causing root rot disease in papaya (Carica papaya L.) ?A new threat in agroecological conditions of Bihar

Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc., was identified as causal agent of root rot of papaya in agroecological condition of Bihar. Earlier no work has been done on the cultural behavior of the fungus, isolated from papaya. Hence, a study was conducted to screen suitable medium for growth and sporulation of the pathogen. The maximum radial growth of Fusarium solani was observed in potato dextrose agar (PDA) as solid media i.e. 85.3 mm followed by corn maize agar (CMA) media (82 mm) while, maximum sporulation was obtained in potato dextrose agar media 5x104 for microconidia but carnation leaf agar media was found most suitable for the macro-conidia production. The Fusarium solani isolate differed in their colony growth; mycelial weight, macro-conidia and micro-conidia produced on different media.