FIRST REPORT OF FUSARIUM WILT BY FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM IN PHYSALIS PERUVIANA IN ECUADOR

Physalis peruviana, known locally as uvilla but internationally as goldenberry or Cape gooseberry, is the fourth most important exotic fruit for export in Ecuador, after Mangifera spp. (mango), Cereus spp. (pitahaya), and Passiflora spp. (maracuya and granadilla). Ecuador is the second world exporter of this solanaceous fruit after Colombia. This crop is produced in four provinces located in the center and north of the Andean region. In 2013, Ecuador exported 91 tons of P. peruviana (ProEcuador 2014). Between October 2016 and March 2017, P. peruviana production fields.