First report on Fusarium virguliforme in Persian Gulf Beach soils

Fusarium species are cosmopolitan species that frequently isolated from soils and plant debris and can seriously damaged plant, animal and human. Persian Gulf beaches in Iran are the ideal habitat for a variety of Fusarium species. Therefore, the study is conducted to gather some information on the population of Fusarium species which could be found in Persian Gulf beaches in Iran. The study involved the isolation and identification of Fusarium species from beach soil samples in Persian Gulf beaches. The direct isolation technique from soil particles was used to isolate Fusarium species from beach soil samples. Fusarium species were identified by the observation of macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. Fusarium solani is the most common species found on the beach samples which had the highest percentage of abundance (58%). The percentage of abundance for other Fusarium species is relatively low, where F. proliferatum consists of 12%, followed by F. equiseti (10%), F. falciforme (10%), F. oxsysporum (7%) and F. virguliforme (3%). Molecular identification using translation elongation factor 1α (tef1) gene and nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences were conducted to confirm morphological data. Numerous Fusarium species associated with soil and different plants have been reported from Iran. Until today, there are no reports on F. virguliforme in Iran. The study on the Fusarium species on beach soil samples of Persian Gulf in Iran will provide insight on the influence of environment on occurrence of Fusarium in Persian Gulf.