Stem Rot, Cutting Rot, and Leaf Spot of Dieffenbachia maculata ‘Perfection’ Incited by Fusarium solani. A. R. Chase, Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Research Center, Apopka 32703. N. E. El-Gholl, Biologist, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, Gainesville 32602. Plant Dis. 66:595-598. Accepted for publication 8 February 1982. Copyright 1982 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-66-595.

Fusarium solani was isolated from Dieffenbachia maculata ‘Perfection’ plants, collected from several commercial nurseries in Florida, with symptoms of stem rot, cutting rot, and leaf spot. Symptoms were reproduced when pathogen-free plants were inoculated with conidial suspensions of F. solani. Inoculation of tissue-cultured dieffenbachias with conidial suspensions resulted in death or varying degrees of stunting, depending on inoculum concentration. Inoculations of other members of the family Araceae did not produce disease, although Brassaia actinophylla (schefflera) was susceptible.

Keyword(s):