Maryam Afsarzadeh Laien - Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran
Abbas Mohammadi - Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran

Purpose: Chitin is a structural, long_chain polysaccharide of N-acetylglucosamine subunits with beta 1,4 glycosylated bonds and the second post-cellulose polysaccharide in nature. Chitinases enzymes are capable of degrading chitin, plays essential roles in the decomposition of chitinous wastes, can be used as a biological fungicide against phytopathogenic fungi. Research method: Fusarium isolates were recovered from soil, the spore of phytopathogenic fungi, and cereal tissues in different areas of Birjand plain during 2013-2017. A chitinase enzyme activity assay was performed using the Lugol''''s solution staining method and genomic replication by DECH degenerate primers. Findings: Eighty-three isolates of Fusarium presenting the chitinolytic activity were recovered from soil, cereal plant tissues from different areas of the Birjand plain in Iran. Some isolates were also recovered from barley loose smut and barberry rust spores. Chitinase enzyme activity was detected in Fusarium solani, F. proliferatum, F. avenaceum, F. fujikuroi, F. acuminatum, F. semitectum, F. culmorum, F. equiseti, F. nygamai, F. diversisporum, F. oxysporum and F. longipes by chitinase bioassay method and/or DECH primers for chitinase. Limitations: There were no limitations to report.Originality/Value: Based on the molecular data, the secreted chitinases belonged to chitinse1 or endochitinase-42 kDa, members of GH family 18. This is the first report of chitinases from Fusarium species in Iran.

Biodegradation, chitin, chitinolytic, degenerate primer, endochitinase