Morphological Characterization and Molecular Identification of Stem-end Rot Associated Fungal Species Isolated from ‘Karutha Colomban’ Mango Fruits in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Purpose: Stem-End Rot (SER) is one of the most frequently found mango postharvest diseases in many countries including Sri Lanka. Availability of a significantly detailed study on morphological and molecular characterization of the SER associated fungal species is comparatively low. The present study has been carried out considering the above fact. Research Method: SER disease associated fungi were isolated and identification was carried out using morphological characteristics. Identification was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis of newly generated ITS sequencing data using Maximum Likelihood (ML) with RAxML software (Ver.8.2.10). Findings: From the morphological studies it was observed that the fungal isolates SER1, SER2, SER3 and SER6 produced conidia on Potato Dextrose Agar. Both morphological and molecular results revealed that the isolates of SER1, SER4, SER5, and SER6 which were isolated from diseased Karutha Colomban mango fruits with SER (in Sri Lanka) belong to Lasiodiplodia sp., Nodulisporium sp., Xylaria feejeensis and Pestalotiopsis sp. respectively. Both SER2 and SER3 were confirmed as Phomopsis sp. During the present study two new fungal species (Xylaria spp. and Nodulisporium spp.) were also identified for the first time from SER of Karutha Colomban mango fruits. Research Limitations: The pathogenicity of these isolates will be tested in near future, since the study was mainly focused on the isolation and identification of the SER associated fungal species. Originality/ Value: Results of the present study will be very valuable for stakeholders in Agricultural sector, before designing control strategies at post-harvest level in order to minimize the loss and extend the storage life of mango.

Stem-end rot in major tropical and sub-tropical fruit species

“…from the cv. 'Karuthacolomban' (Figure 1) in a more recent study using ITS sequence data (Karunanayake et al, 2014;Ekanayake et al, 2019). Botryosphaeriaceae and Diaporthaceae species, have been reported as pathogens of stem-end rot disease around the world, including Botryosphaeria dothidea, Diaporthe pseudomangiferae, Neoscytalidium dimidiatum (Marques et al, 2013;Serrato-Diaz et al, 2014).…”

Pathogenicity of Stem-end Rot Associated Fungi Isolated from Karthakolomban Mango and Their Control by Spray and Fumigation Treatments with Selected Essential Oils

“…and X. feejeensis. These fungi were previously isolated from Karthakolomban mango with SER and identity confi rmed using morphological and molecular tools by Ekanayake et al, (2019). Four sets of fruits were inoculated separately with each fungal isolate to test the individual contribution of each fungus towards SER disease and another set of fruits were inoculated with all fungal isolates together to test the collective contribution of the isolates towards the disease.…”

“…Nodulisporium sp. isolated from Karthakolomban mango with SER byEkanayake et al, (2019) is a fungus which has not previously been reported as a postharvest pathogen. Due to the low survival rate of Nodulisporium sp.…”

“…in vitro, it was not tested for pathogenicity. According to the phylogenetic analysis carried out byEkanayake et al, (2019) for six SER associated fungi isolated from Karthakolomban mango, isolate numbers MH005085.1, MH005090.1, MH005089.1 and MH005088.1 were found to be clustered with L. theobromae, Pestalotiopsis sp., X. feejeensis and Nodulisporium sp. respectively.…”

Characterization of Neopestalotiopsis Species Associated with Mango Grey Leaf Spot Disease in Sinaloa, Mexico

“…The mango fruit is appreciated for its unique flavor and nutritional value and is consumed in juices, beverages, jams and as a fresh fruit [ 3 ]. Over 90 countries cultivate mango, [ 4 ] Asia is the leading producer with 75% of the world’s production [ 5 ], but Mexico is the world’s largest exporter [ 6 ]. In Mexico, mango is the second tropical fruit of economic importance and during 2019, the production volume was 2,087,359 t in 193,549 ha, cultivated in 23 states, with Sinaloa as the largest producing state.…”