Characterization of two isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris (races 0 and 5) transformed with the ZsGreen fluorescent protein.

aThese strains were genetically transformed with the ZsGreen fluorescent protein according to Khang et al. (2006); (wt) indicates wild-type strains.bRMGF = Radial Mycelial Growth Final, assessed by the average value of the fungal colony radius reached after 9 days growing at 25±1°C and a photoperiod of 12-h of a mixture of fluorescent white and near-UV light at 36 µE m–2 s–1. RGR = Radial Growth Rate: slope of linear regression model that related the temporal increase of the radial growth of the fungal colony. Each value is the mean of three replications (petri dishes). Means in a column followed by an asterisk are significantly different (PcDisease was assessed on a 0 to 4 severity scale based on the percentage of affected foliar tissue (0 = 0%, 1 = 1 to 33%, 2 = 24 to 66%, 3 = 67 to 100%, and 4 = dead plant) at 2–3 days intervals for 42 days growing inside a walk-in growth chamber adjusted at 25±2°C, 60–90% of relative humidity and y a 14-h photoperiod of fluorescent white light at 360 µE m–2 s–1. Incidence and severity data were used to calculate a Disease Intensity Index (DII). DIIfinal: DII at the final date of disease assessment; SAUDIIPC = area under disease intensity index progress curve standardized by duration time in days of the epidemic; IP: Incubation period, estimated as the number of days to initial symptoms. Data are the means of four replicated pots, each with four plants. Means in a column followed by an asterisk are significantly different (PdNo disease symptoms observed.