Identification of Pathogen Causing Bulb Rot in Fritillaria taipaiensis P. Y. Li and Establishment of Detection Methods

Fritillaria taipaiensis P. Y. Li (F. taipaiensis) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been used for over two millennia to treat cough and expectoration. However, the increasing cultivation of F. taipaiensis has led to the spread of bulb rot diseases. In this study, pathogens were isolated from rotten F. taipaiensis bulbs. Through molecular identification, pathogenicity testing, morphological assessment, and microscopy, Fusarium solani was identified as the pathogen causing bulb rot in F. taipaiensis. The colonization of F. solani in the bulbs was investigated through microscopic observation. The rapid and accurate detection of this pathogen will contribute to better disease monitoring and control. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and qPCR methods were established to quickly and specifically identify this pathogen. These results provide valuable insights for further research on the prediction, rapid detection, and effective prevention and control of bulb rot in F. taipaiensis.