Confirmation of the capability of Ceratocystis fimbriata to cause mango sudden death syndrome in Pakistan.
Malik M. T., Akem C., Khan S. M., Khan M. A., Dasti A. A., Kazmi, Grewal A. G., Awan M. Z.
Author Affiliation: Mango Research Station, Shujabad, Pakistan.
Pakistan Journal of Phytopathology 22 : 120-125
Abstract : A disease of mango recently introduced, commonly known as sudden death is, becoming very destructive and economically serious in Pakistan. Affected mango trees have wilting symptoms. Cankers may develop over areas of vascular discoloration and the cankers may exude gum from the stem. Wilted leaves typically become dry and curled rather suddenly but remain attached to the tree for several weeks. Evidence is presented that a primarily xylem and vascular wilt pathogen Ceratocystis fimbriata causes mango sudden death disease in Pakistan possibly in concert with Botryosphaeriaceous fungi like Lasiodiplodia theobromae or Nattrassia mangiferae. The most extensive symptoms development accured in the seedlings inoculated with C. fimriata alone or in combination with L. theobromae and N. mangiferae. The results of this study showed that L. theobromae and N. mangiferae in mango sudden death might act as secondary colonizers or weaker pathogens as compared to C. fimbriata. L. theobromae was also nonetheless capable of producing symptoms but with low severity. It needs further investigation as this Botryosphaeriaceous fungus mostly lives endophytically and its true parasitic status is still unresolved.