Tarbiat Modares University Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology 1680-7073 14 5 2012 09 01 Fusarium proliferatum Induces Gum in Xylem Vessels as the Cause of Date Bunch Fading in Iran 1133 1140 15152 EN B. Mansoori Department of Plant Protection Research, Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center of Fars, P. O. Box: 73415-111, Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran Journal Article Date bunch fading (DBF) is a serious disease of date palm (<em>Phoenix</em><em> dactelifera</em> L.) in Iran. <em>Fusarium proliferatum</em> was isolated from the xylem of fruit bunch samples sent from Kerman and Fars provinces groves to the laboratory. Koch’s postulates were completed in the greenhouse by crown injection and root inoculations. Shriveling of the fruits was induced by peduncle inoculations. Symptoms on the seedlings indicated the effects of ethylene. The possible involvement of <em>F. prolifertum</em> phytotoxin(s) in the induction of DBF through elicitation of ethylene is discussed. The gas is suggested to be responsible for the gums deposits and, in turn, water stress resulted in shriveling and fading of the fruits. https://jast.modares.ac.ir/article_15152_dff4ba680e945e400d3d800a9fa29f3e.pdf