Identification and characterization of mango (Mangifera indica L.) malformation in Sudan.
Ali M. A., Abuadil M. Y. A., Fadlalla Y., Dafalla G. A., Ismail E.
Author Affiliation: Plant Pathology Center, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, PO Box 20, Wad Medani, Sudan.
Journal of Mycology and Plant Pathology 45 : 218-222
Abstract : This paper presents the results of a survey conducted during October-December 2010 in three mango production areas (Eldamazeen, Singa and Shandi) as a representative example of three mango producing states, i.e. Blue Nile, Sinnar and River Nile, respectively, to detect and identify the causal agent(s) of mango malformation in Sudan based on some biological and morphological characteristics. According to the growth media results, a fungal association was found in relation to the mango malformation in Sudan. Three genera of fungi were recorded in most of the tested cultures, i.e. Fusarium, Alternaria and Rhizopus, with the dominance of Fusarium spp. When the morphological characters of the colonies and the conidia were compared with other types of Fusarium, the results closely resembled with that of F. mangiferae. The mango bug mite Eriophyes mangiferae [Aceria mangiferae] was also observed in most of the surveyed orchards, a finding which indicates the possible relation of the mite as a vector for the vegetative malformation. The survey also revealed a close relationship between the disease incidence, cultivated varieties and their age.