Molecular characterization of Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum phyto-pathogens causing mango maturity malconformation

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a significant fruit on global scale and is vulnerable to varied kinds of the decline disorders, subsequently leading to the immense economic loss of the mango growers in different countries. Pakistan is a renowned exporter of auspicious varieties of the mango fruit. However, the mango fruit in Pakistan is also exposed to a number of phyto-pathogens. Current work has carried out the task of the fungal species identification involved in post-harvest rotting of mango in orchards by cultural and pathological characteristics as well as molecular technique. By molecular analysis, the genetic diversity of Fusarium species (Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum) was isolated from the rotten mango fruits of the selected districts and evaluated by 5.8S and two ITS flanking regions ITS1 and ITS2 gene of rDNA. Molecular analysis facilitated the identification of the varied kinds of the isolated pathogens and also determined the relationship of various Fusarium strains involved in post-harvest diseases leading to the malconformation of mangoes. Prior to the current research, anthracnose has been reported to be the major mango rotting disease caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporides in Pakistan. However, the results of our work are indicative of the profound involvement of the F. solani and F. oxysporum in destroying the mango crop. Current work is indicative of the opportunist nature of the F. solani and F. oxysporum pathogens infecting post-harvest mangoes through wounds and cause injuries.

Keywords:

• Fruit disease
• fungal pathogens
• fungus
• isolation
• post harvest
• pathogenicity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was provided by the author(s).