Pathogenicity and Host Range of Fusarium oxysporum from Sweet Basil and Evaluation of Disease Control Methods. ANTHONY P. KEINATH, Department of Plant Pathology and Physiology, Clemson University, Coastal Research and Education Center, Charleston, SC 29414-5341. Plant Dis. 78:1211-1215. Accepted for publication 2 September 1994. Copyright 1994 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-78-1211.

Fusarium will of basil (Ocimum basilicum) was first detected in a commercial greenhouse in South Carolina in April 1992. Four isolates of Fusarium oxysporum from sweet or bush (cv. Minimum) basil were pathogenic on these hosts in greenhouse tests. Height and leaf area of inoculated sweet basil plants were reduced by 30 and 40%, respectively, compared with noninocu-lated plants. F. oxysporum reduced fresh weights of sweet and lemon basil (cv. Citriodorum) but had no effect on six other herbs in the family Lamiaceae. Neither mancozeb, iprodione, benomyl, nor Streptomyces griseoviridis prevented Fusarium wilt of sweet basil when applied as a drench 3 days prior to inoculation.