Determination of biological control opportunities against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae in lettuce

Lettuce is one of the important vegetables. One of the important diseases that cause yield losses in lettuce production is lettuce wilt, which is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae. This study was carried out to investigate the possibilities of biological control against F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae. In this context, entomopathogenic fungus M. anisopliae, which is used successfully in general applications, especially in biological control of insects, and also contributes to plant growth and resistance, was investigated against this pathogen. The dual culture method and culture filtrate of M. anisopliae were used in in vitro experiments. In the pot trials, spore suspension and culture filtrate of M. anisopliae were tested separately. As a result of the trials, M. anisopliae YK33 with 60.44% was the most effective isolate inhibiting of mycelial growth of F. oxysporum f.sp. lactucae in the daul culture method. In the culture filtrate experiment, the isolate YK34 showed an effect of 72.13%. On the other hand, in the pot trials, spor suspensions of YK33 and YK43 isolates showed an effect of 65% . In the culture filtrate experiments, the isolate YK43 had an effect of 67.62%. When these results are evaluated, it is thought that M. anisopliae has the potential to be used in integrated pest management against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lactucae by combining it with other control methods.