First Record of Leptoxyphium madagascariense Causing Sooty Mould on Mango (Mangifera indica L.) in Egypt

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.), known as the king of tropical fruits, is classified as an evergreen tree; belonging to the Anacardiaceae family that is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions as a fruitful tree. It is widely cultivated in Egypt due to its high nutritional value, attractive fruits and delicious taste. During the fall seasons of 2022 and 2023, unknown fungal growth was observed on the upper surfaces of mango leaves as a black coating layer with a velvety appearance (sooty mould). This layer forms along the leaf surface, on about 5-20% of mango trees growing in some orchards in Ismailia Governorate (Ismailia and Al-Qantarah Sharq County) and the Nubaria region Beheira Governorate. The associated fungus was isolated and identified as Leptoxyphium madagascariense (OQ345924) based on the morphological and molecular analysis. A pathogenicity study was performed according to Koch's postulates.To our knowledge, this study is the first record of Leptoxyphium madagascariense as an associated agent of sooty mould on mango (Mangifera indica L.) tree in Egypt.