# Efficacy of Four In Vitro Fungicides for Control of Wilting of Strawberry Crops in Puebla-Mexico
###### Abstract  
Strawberry wilt is an established disease of strawberry crops caused by fungus _Fusarium solani_. In Mexico, strawberry cultivation represents an important productive activity for several rural areas; however, wilt disease affects producers economically. The objectives of this research were: (a) to identify and morphologically characterize strain \"MA-FC120\" associated with root rot and wilting of strawberry crops in Santa Cruz Analco, municipality of San Salvador el Verde, Puebla-Mexico; (b) to evaluate the potential of single and multiple applications of four broad-spectrum fungicides used against _F. solani_ in vitro. Plant tissue samples were collected from strawberry crops in Puebla-Mexico with presence of symptoms of desiccation and root rot. Strain \"MA-FC120\" was identified as _F. solani_, being the causal agent of wilt and root rot in strawberry plants from Santa Cruz Analco. Fungicide Benonyl 50\({}^{\text{\text{\text{\text{\text{\text{\text{\text{\text{\text{\text{ \text{\text  
Macrophomina phaseolina, Pythium spp., _Ptytophthora_ spp., and _Rhizoctonia_ spp., cause the death of feeder rootlets, plant deterioration, and blackening of the main root system, as well as a decrease in plant stand vigor and productivity, causing a decrease in crop yield [10,11].  
Among the fungal diseases of the strawberry crop, wilting or drying is a disease caused by _F. solani_ ([PERSON], causing root rot in the crop, which causes stunting, wilting, and death of plants [12,13]. _F. solani_ is a generalist plant pathogenic fungus with soil and seed origin present worldwide [14]. It is mainly characterized by abundant aerial mycelium, cottony texture, and sickle-shaped macroconidia with two to five septa [15]. _F. solani_ has recently been reported in Spain in strawberry crops in intensive \"nursery\" systems, as well as in production fields [16]. _F. solani_ has also been described as a pathogen of strawberry in Italy [17], Iran [18], and Pakistan [19]. However, there are few reports in Mexico [8].  
Multiple fungicides to control various fungal diseases in strawberry crops, including demethylation inhibitors, quinone external inhibitors, and succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (Fungicide Resistance Action Committee codes 3, 11, and 7, respectively), are available to producers. Benomyl and thiophanate-methyl have been consistently reported to be effective against various species of the genus _Fusarium_ on several host plants [20,21]. Chemical management is an important tool for control of diseases, including soil-borne diseases. In addition, identification of effective fungicides would allow consolidation of different components needed to formulate integrated fungicides for disease management [22].  
In Mexico, there is no publicly available information on the name, type, and quantity of each authorized pesticide applied nationally [23]. According to [PERSON] et al. [24], the active ingredients (a.i.) Mancozeb [8], Benomyl [9], Cholothaloni [9], and Captan [9] can be identified as most widely used in the country. Given this situation, chemical control is considered an efficient practice; however, extensive and repeated application of these chemicals has led to the frequent appearance of resistance to fungicides that could compromise their effectivity, as highlighted by incidences of resistance to carbendazim and tebuconazole [25].  
In the summer of 2021, plant stunting, wilting, leaf chlorosis, and root rot were observed on strawberry var. \"Camino Real\" in Santa Cruz Analco, Puebla-Mexico, with symptoms indicative of _F. solani_. These symptoms were observed in 40% of the crops. Therefore, the objectives of this research were: (a) to identify the causal agent of this disease; (b) to evaluate the potential of single and multiple applications of four broad-spectrum fungicides used against _F. solani_ in vitro.