Characterisation of Colletotrichum species causing anthracnose disease of mango in Italy.
Ismail A. M., Cirvilleri G., Yaseen T., Epifani F., Perrone G., Polizzi G.
Author Affiliation: Agricultural Research Center, Plant Pathology Research Institute, 12619 Giza, Egypt.
Journal of Plant Pathology 97 : 167-171
Abstract : Anthracnose symptoms consisting of necrotic spots on the leaves, twigs and branches were observed on mango trees of cv. Kensington Pride in orchards located in the countryside of Palermo and Milazzo (southern Italy). Based on morphological observations and phylogenetic analysis of the ?-tubulin (benA) and histone H3 (HIS3) genes, three Colletotrichum species were identified and recovered from diseased plants, i.e. C. karstii (nine isolates), C. kahawae subsp. ciggaro (six isolates) and C. gloeosporioides (six isolates). Following artificial inoculation, all species induced symptoms on the leaves and fruits of cv. Kensington Pride. To our knowledge, this is the first report of mango anthracnose caused by C. karstii, C. kahawae subsp. ciggaro and C. gloeosporioides in Italy.