First report on the association between Ceratocystis fimbriata, an agent of mango wilt, Xyleborus affinis, and the sawdust produced during beetle colonization in Brazil.
Souza A. G. C., Maffia L. A., Murta H. M., Alves Y. H., Pereira R. M., Picanço M. C.
Author Affiliation: Departamento de Fitopatologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), 36570-000, Minas Gerais State, Brazil.
Plant Disease 97 :1116
Abstract : The wilt disease caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata has limited mango production in Brazil and other countries. There are reports that Hypocryphalus mangiferae is a vector of Ceratocystis spp. and that other beetles, such as Xyleborus affinis, may infest mango trees and excavate gallery burrows, thereby producing sawdust. In March 2011, X. affinis was found colonizing diseased mango trees in Itaperuna, Rio de Janeiro State. A study was conducted to evaluate whether both the beetle and the sawdust produced in colonized trees would be associated with C. fimbriata. In March 2011, three isolates of C. fimbriata were collected: CF01 in sawdust from trees of cv. Espada with wilt symptoms (yellowish to dried leaves, dried stems, and gum exudation from the stem) in Itaperuna; CF02 from X. affinis colonizing wilted trees in Itaperuna; and CF03 from wilted trees of cv. Palmer in Frutal, Minas Gerais. All three isolates were pathogenic, causing typical disease symptoms on the plants beginning at 7 days after inoculation, which consisted of gum exudation (60, 60 and 0%), and yellowing and wilt (80, 100 and 80%). This is thought to be the first report of an association between C. fimbriata and both X. affinis and the sawdust produced during beetle colonization.