Fusarium species associated with leaf spots of mango in China

Mango is one of the important commercially cultivated fruit crops in southern China. In continuing research on foliar diseases of mango in south of China during 2016-2017, leaf spot disease was common at all mango orchards investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate Fusarium species associated with leaf spots of mango in the main production areas of China, and to identify them to species. Twenty-two Fusarium isolates were obtained from diseased leaves from seven provinces (Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Sichuan and Yunnan), and then identified using morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis. These isolates were from seven species: F. concentricum, F. hainanense, F. mangiferae, F. pernambucanum, F. proliferatum, F. sulawesiense, and F. verticillioides. We found all 22 isolates to be capable of causing leaf spot symptoms on artificially wounded leaves. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. concentricum, F. hainanense, F. mangiferae, F. pernambucanum, F. sulawesiense and F. verticillioides associated with leaf spots on mango in China, and the first for F. concentricum, F. hainanense, F. pernambucanum, F. sulawesiense from mango worldwide. This is one of the few reports on Fusarium species as potential causal agents of mango leaf spots.

Automated summary

The study identified seven Fusarium species associated with leaf spots on mango in China, including some reported for the first time globally. These isolates were found to be capable of causing leaf spot symptoms on artificially wounded leaves. This research contributes to the understanding of Fusarium species as potential causal agents of mango leaf spots.