New insights into Mango Malformation disease epidemiology lead to a new integrated management strategy for subtropical environments.
Freeman S., Shtienberg D., Maymon M., Levin A. G., Ploetz R. C.
Author Affiliation: Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, ARO, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
Plant Disease 98 : 1456-1466
Abstract : This paper describes the symptoms and aetiology of mango malformation disease (MMD), a major threat to the production of mango. Although Fusarium mangiferae predominates as the MMD pathogen in the Eastern Hemisphere, it has only been confirmed as a pathogen causing MMD in the Western Hemisphere in Florida, USA. The role of the mango bud mite (Aceria mangiferae) in the development of MMD is discussed, as well as the susceptibility of different mango cultivars to malformation. Previous approaches to manage MMD are mentioned, which include sanitation and use of chemicals and fungicides. Some new insights into MMD epidemiology and its management are presented, focusing on inoculum availability and dissemination; host organs that are infected by the pathogen; disease cycle; development and evaluation of a new integrated management strategy. The ability to identify different MMD agents would be needed to develop reliable disease diagnostics, as well as understand the diseases' aetiology and epidemiology in different environments and improve MMD management strategies.