This experiment transpired to determine the effect of the fungus Fusarium dimerum on the chlorophyll content and some phenotypic and anatomical morphological traits of the leaves of date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.). The study results showed the ability of the fungus F. dimerum to cause infection on date palm leaves of five cultivars. The findings revealed that F. dimerum can secrete the enzymes cellulase, phenol oxidase, lipase, and amylases, as the area of their enzyme activity reached 6.1, 5.8, 6.2, and 12.4 mm, respectively. The results of histological analysis of the infected leaves also indicated the presence of F. dimerum spores in tissues of the infected leaves and the decomposition of cell walls and the loss of their integrated shape. The experiment showed significant differences in the chlorophyll content in healthy leaves and those infected with the fungus F. dimerum, wherein the percentage decreased in leaves infected with the fungus compared with the control treatment (healthy leaves).
Date palm (P. dactylifera L.), Fusarium dimerum, histological anatomy, chlorophyll content in leaves, enzymes, fungal disease
The results of the pathogenicity test for the fungus F. dimerum on the leaves of five cultivars of date palms (P. dactylifera L.) showed the ability of the fungus F. dimerum to cause infection and its ability to secrete the enzymes cellulase, phenol oxidase, lipase, and amylases. The ability to secrete enzymes plays a primary role in causing infection in the date palms.