FUNGUS GNATS VECTOR FUSARIUM-OXYSPORUM F-SP RADICIS-LYCOPERSICI

Fungus gnat adults transported Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. radicis-lycope rsici from Petri dish culture and infected host plants to the roots an d hypocotyls of healthy tomato and bean plants. The source of the fung us did not affect the ability of fungus gnats to transport the fungus to healthy hosts. The presence of fungus gnat larvae in media in which young tomato plants were grown did not increase the incidence of plan t infection by the pathogen. Fungus gnat adults appear to aid in the d issemination of F. oxysporum f.sp. radicis-lycopersici.