Selective medium for isolating Nattrassia mangiferae.
Saaiman W. C., Smith Z.
Author Affiliation: Merensky Technological Services, P.O. Box 14, Duivelskloof 0853, South Africa.
Yearbook - South African Mango Growers' Association 15 : 75-79
Abstract : The isolation of N. mangiferae from mango branches, fruit and inflorescences (on agar media) is severely hampered by the presence of saprophytic fungi on these tissues. The development of a selective medium preferentially favouring the growth of N. mangiferae is therefore necessary. Ten chemicals were screened for their effect on the growth, in vitro, of N. mangiferae. Growth of N. mangiferae was inhibited least by benodanil (100 p.p.m.), rose bengal (50 p.p.m.) and tannic acid (3000 p.p.m.). Each of these chemicals was tested at various concn and in various combinations for their effect on radial growth of 7 fungi isolated from mango tissue including N. mangiferae. A selective medium (tannic acid (4000 p.p.m.) and benodanil (100 p.p.m.)) which best favoured the growth of N. mangiferae was thus formulated. It is concluded that this medium will greatly facilitate the detection of N. mangiferae in isolations made from mango branches, inflorescences or fruit.