Vol. 9, Special Issue 12, Part C (2025)

Linseed is very rich in oil and the oil and protein percent in seed of linseed varies from 37.8 to 43.2% and 20.00 to 24.8% respectively and after extracting oil the refuse called seed cake is a well-known fattening food for cattles. The crop is susceptible to wilt, a devastating soil-borne disease induced by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lini. These investigations were deemed necessary due to the possible danger of linseed wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lini, and as a result, they were started for the evaluation of the disease occurrence, characterization, and differences in the morphological, cultural behavior of collected isolates of the pathogen. Understanding cultural, morphological variation of F. oxysporum isolates is of highest importance, which has not been before explored in Vidarbha regions of Maharashtra. 13 places of Eight districts viz Akola, Nagpur, Wardha, Bhandhara, Gondia, Amravati, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur of Maharashtra state were surveyed throughout the rabi season of continues two years (2021-2022 and 2022-2023). 11 samples of FOL were procured from different states of India with help of AICRP, Nagpur. Wilt incidence in different districts varied from 15.63 to 35.19 percent. Maximum per cent disease incidence 39.50 was recorded in AICRP Nagpur district. In total 24 isolates of pathogen (FOL) were covered. All collected isolates were showed variations in color of colony, morphology and pigmentation response. Isolates produced appressed flat, partially appressed, partially flat appressed, mycelium growth, mycelial colour in all isolates varied from white, dull white, cottony white, dark white. Radial growth of all isolates at 7 DAI, total 8 isolates were moderate growing (50 - 70 mm), total 17 isolates were fast growing (more than 70 mm). In length and breadth maximum average size was recorded in the isolate Fol-4 (25.13 × 6.24 µm) length and breadth in macroconidia, numbers of septa observe varied from between 2-7 in all isolates while in microconidia maximum average size was recorded in the isolate Fol - 17 (10.34 x 2.35 µm) no sepatation was found in all isolates.