First report of Neofusicoccum parvum causing rachis necrosis of mango (Mangifera indica) in Puerto Rico.
Serrato-Diaz L. M., Perez-Cuevas M., Rivera-Vargas L. I., French-Monar R. D.
Author Affiliation: Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Amarillo, Texas, USA.
Plant Disease 97 :1381
Abstract : Mango is an important tropical fruit crop in Puerto Rico that has been grown in the island for centuries. One of the major disease issues in mango production is rotting of the rachis (main axis stem of the inflorescence). During a disease survey from 2008 to 2010, rachis and flower necrosis were observed at the Mango Germplasm Collection of the University of Puerto Rico's Experiment Station in Juana Diaz. Based on morphological characteristics, molecular investigations (sequence analysis of the DNA internal transcribed spacer region, fragments of both ?-tubulin and elongation factor 1-alpha genes) and pathogenicity tests, the causal agent was identified as Neofusicoccum parvum [Botryosphaeria parva]. Worldwide, N. parvum has been associated with stem-end rot, branch dieback, blossom blight, and cankers on mango. This is thought to be the first report of N. parvum causing rachis necrosis on mango in Puerto Rico.