FUSARIUM WILT OF CARNATION: PRESENT SITUATION, PROBLEMS AND PERSPECTIVES (°).

Over the past 10 years innovative control measures against carnation wilt, incited by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi, have been reported while traditional strategies have been improved: this review focuses on the progress in Fusarium wilt management.

The use of resistant cultivars, of proper floriculture practices (such as cultivation in raised benches, use of soil with high pH and of ammonia nitrogen fertilization), soil disinfection and chemical treatments after planting, may help to reduce the incidence of wilt attacks.

Over the last decade suppressiveness of several soils against F. dianthi has been widely investigated: the isolation and identification of the microbiological entities responsible for soil suppressiveness represented a significant step. Researchers are now trying to apply under practical conditions biocontrol measures.

At present, only the integration of different control measures permits management of F.dianthi.