Status of Fusarium diseases of crop plants in North East India

Agriculture remains the main occupation in North East India which comprises of eight states. Among the various soil borne pathogens, Fusarium is one of the important pathogens causing diseases with severe yield reduction in crop plants if adequate management practices are not followed. The various species of this pathogen reported in this region are Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, F. moniliforme, F. equiseti, F. verticillioides, F redolense, F. chlamydosporum, F. Avenaceum, F proliferatum and F. subglutinans. The pathogen causes wilt, rot, seed decay malformation (Pokkah boeng) etc. The pathogen has been characterised using morphological, cultural and molecular methods. Various management options and diagnostic techniques including nanotechnology have been studied. This review summarises the research works carried out on various aspects of Fusarium diseases in North Eastern India and future strategies. © 2019, Indian Phytopathological Society.