Identification and Resistance Profiling of Fusarium Species in Maize Cultivation Areas of Türkiye

The Eastern Mediterranean Region provides approximately one third of maize production of Türkiye and ranks first in terms of both planting and production when compared to other regions. In the cultivation of corn, there is a 20–30% yield loss due to fungal disease agents that cause root rot. Within the scope of this study, it was defined that Fusarium crown rot disease agents are widespread in 5 main maize-producing provinces in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (Adana, Mersin, Kahramanmaraş, Osmaniye and Hatay) of Türkiye. The disease agents were identified as Fusarium verticillioides, F. proliferatum and F. brachygibbosum by using EF-1α, and β‑tubulin regions. Within the scope of the study, some commercial corn varieties commonly cultivated in the region and genotypes determined to be suitable for our regional conditions in breeding studies conducted by the Eastern Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute were found to be susceptible to F. verticillioides. Of the corn genotypes, SSHG-16‑1 and GEM-10 were determined to be moderately resistant to F. proliferatum. Current study presents the first report of F. brachygibbosum from corn field of Türkiye.