The genus Fusarium comprises an array of soilborne plant pathogens capable of causing crop significant loss of quality and yield. For perennial crops with significant start-up costs, infection by pathogenic Fusarium spp. can also reduce plant longevity which can be especially costly. Our objective was to determine the incidence and pathogenicity of Fusarium spp. associated with asparagus crowns and ginseng seed and roots. Fusarium causes root rot on asparagus decreasing the crop yield and plant longevity. Root lesions on ginseng root from Fusarium decreases the crop’s quality and value. Species identification was achieved via DNA extraction, PCR using EF-1 and EF-2 primers, and Sanger sequencing. Asparagus crown (491) samples were collected from commercially popular cultivars and included ‘Jersey Supreme’ (100), ‘Guelph Millennium’ (258), and ‘Guelph Eclipse’ (133). ‘Guelph Millennium’ crowns included those grown in soils fumigated pre-plant with metam sodium (131) or not fumigated (127). Seven Fusarium species were identified from asparagus crowns; F. oxysporum (92%) was most abundant. Fusarium spp. were isolated from ‘Jersey Supreme’ (39%), ‘Guelph Eclipse’ (47%), and ‘Guelph Millennium’ (30%). Fusarium spp. were isolated from 36% and 25% of the crowns grown in non-fumigated or fumigated soils, respectively. Pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum isolates (51) differed signficantly. Ginseng seed (1,216) and roots (222) were obtained from 11 growers. Fusarium spp. were rarely recovered from seed (5%) or roots (2%). Eight Fusarium species were isolated including F. avenaceum (62%), F. solani (11%), and F. oxysporum (10%). Pathogenicity of select isolates was tested on seedlings and fresh roots and significant differences were noted. Results will be used to develop strategies to limit Fusarium spp. affecting these perennial crops.
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