Induction of systemic resistance against Fusarium crown and root rot disease by blast processing

The effect of fan-forced wind on the severity and growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (FORL) was examined in this study. The discoloration severity of the total root system was significantly reduced in plants treated with air blasting for 30 min at a wind speed of 4 m/s compared with the control. In addition, the number of colony-forming units of FORL per gram of fresh root weight was significantly reduced (p <= 0.05) in plants treated with air blasting at a wind speed of 4 m/s for 30 min, and the root extracts of these plants had a significantly lower production of FORL budding cells. Booster wind treatments significantly reduced the severity and growth of FORL compared with single and control treatments. Furthermore, RT-PCR analysis indicated that the expression of defense-related genes was induced in the leaves of seedlings treated with air blasting at a wind speed of 4 m/s.