First report on Fusarium virguliforme in Persian Gulf Beach soils

Fusarium species are cosmopolitan species that frequently isolated from soils and plantdebris and can seriously damaged plant, animal and human. Persian Gulf beaches in Iranare the ideal habitat for a variety of Fusarium species. Therefore, the study is conductedto gather some information on the population of Fusarium species which could be foundin Persian Gulf beaches in Iran. The study involved the isolation and identification ofFusarium species from beach soil samples in Persian Gulf beaches. The direct isolationtechnique from soil particles was used to isolate Fusarium species from beach soilsamples. Fusarium species were identified by the observation of macroscopic andmicroscopic characteristics. Fusarium solani is the most common species found on thebeach samples which had the highest percentage of abundance (58%). The percentage ofabundance for other Fusarium species is relatively low, where F. proliferatum consists of12%, 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 wereconducted to confirm morphological data. Numerous Fusarium species associated withsoil and different plants have been reported from Iran. Until today, there are no reports onF. virguliforme in Iran. The study on the Fusarium species on beach soil samples ofPersian Gulf in Iran will provide insight on the influence of environment on occurrence ofFusarium in Persian Gulf.