Identification of Botryosphaeriaceae associated with stem-end rot of mango (Mangifera indicaL.) in Malaysia

Aims To identify Botryosphaeriaceae fungal species that are associated with stem-end rot of mango, and to study their pathogenicity on mango fruit. Methods and Results Based on the sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), TEF1-alpha and beta-tubulin, as well as on the phylogenetic analysis of combined sequences, four species ofLasiodiplodia(L. theobromae,L. pseudotheobromae, L. iranensis, L. mahajangana) and two species ofNeofusicoccum(N. ribis, N. parvum) were identified.Pseudofusicoccum violaceum, Neoscytalidium dimidiatumand three species ofBotryosphaeria(B. scharifii, B. dothidea, B. ramosa) were identified based on sequences of ITS and TEF1-alpha. Pathogenicity test of selected isolates were tested on Chok Anan, Waterlily and Falan mango cultivars. Generally, all species were observed to be pathogenic on the three tested mango cultivars on wounded fruits, except forN. ribisandN. parvum,which were pathogenic on both wounded and unwounded fruits. However,N. ribiswas only pathogenic on cultivar Falan, whereasB. ramosawere pathogenic on cultivars Waterlily and Falan. Conclusions Eleven species of Botryosphaeriaceae were associated with mango stem-end rot in Malaysia. To the best of our knowledge, four species, namelyL. mahajangana, B. ramosa,N. ribisandP. violaceumare the first recorded Botryosphaeriaceae fungi associated with stem end rot of mango. Significance and Impact of the Study The identification of Botryosphaeriaceae fungi is important to establish suitable control measures and quarantine requirements. Many species have a wide host range, which means that there is a possibility of cross infection from other infected plants.

Automated summary

This study identified multiple fungal species associated with stem-end rot of mango and tested their pathogenicity on different mango cultivars. Some of these species were found to be pathogenic on unwounded fruit as well.