THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FUNGUS FUSARIUM SOLANI AND SOME PATHOLOGICAL PHENOMENA ON DATE PALM TREES AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOME SYSTEMIC FUNGICIDES FOR THEIR CONTROL

Many pathological phenomena are spread in date palm groves in Iraq. The severity of the diseases, susceptibility of the varieties and the symptoms vary. Some of them start with yellowing and the deterioration of palm fronds gradually and ending with death, other symptoms show complete drought of the tree (embalming). The phenomenon of date numbness is also one of the symptoms. Many studies have shown some isolates of the fungus Fusarium solani as the main cause of these symptoms, and this has been proven by pathogenicity test experiments in the laboratory and field. The symptoms were varied depending on the degree of virulence and vulnerability to the production of mycotoxins of isolates. The effectiveness of many of the systemic fungicides were tested to control these phenomena and control through soil dressing and foliar spray. Carbendazim and Iprodine were the most effective against the phenomenon of yellowing and death of the palm, while Chinosole and phosphorus acid showed highly effective against the phenomenon of date numbness. The results showed that the fungus Fusarium solani is one of the most important factors causing these pathological phenomena, which constitutes a real challenge for the palm groves and should be taken in consideration in any management practice.