Fungi Associated with Potato and Tomato Plants with Symptoms of Fungal Diseases in the Republic of Mali

The work investigated fungal strains isolated from diseased potato tubers and green tomato fruits from irrigated fields of small farms located in the Bamako district and in the Koulikoro and Segou regions (southwest Mali). A total of 22 isolates from potato tubers and 5 from tomato fruits were analyzed. Determination of their species affiliation showed that strains of the genus Fusarium predominate on potatoes and tomatoes. In addition to Fusarium, strains of Clonostachys rosea and Geotrichum candidum were found on tubers, and Colletotrichum truncatum and large-spore Alternaria solani s.l. were found on tomato fruits. The strains of the genus Fusarium from potatoes belonged to 9 species from 5 species complexes: Fusarium oxysporum species complex (FOSC) – F. glycines, F. nirenbergiae, F. triseptatum; F. solani species complex (FSSC) – F. solani, F. falciforme; F. sambucinum species complex (FSamSC) – F. culmorum; Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex (FIESC) – F. caatingaense, F. duofalcatisporum; F. tricinctum species complex (FTrSC) – F. flocciferum. All strains from tomatoes belonged to the FIESC complex, within which 2 species were identified: F. duofalcatisporum and F. incarnatum. Pathogenicity analysis on slices of potato tubers and tomato fruits showed that all the studied strains were able to grow on living tissues of the tested plants. Fungicide resistance assessment showed that all strains tested were susceptible to difenoconazole. Analysis of susceptibility to thiabendazole revealed highly resistant strains belonging to the species Geotrichum candidum and Alternaria solani s.l. The remaining strains, including Fusarium spp., were susceptible to thiabendazole. The presence of resistant strains is important to consider when selecting preparations and developing effective plant protection strategies. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.