Botryosphaeria, Neofusicoccum, Neoscytalidium and Pseudofusicoccum species associated with mango in Brazil

Abstract

Members of the Botryosphaeriaceae are well known fungi associated with dieback, canker and fruit rot on various hosts worldwide, including mango. The aim of this study was identify a large collection of Botryosphaeriaceae species associated with dieback and stem-end rot of mango in the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil, and compare the species in relation to mycelial growth, pathogenicity and virulence. A total of 115 isolates were sampled and based on morphology and DNA sequence data (ITS and EF1-α) seven taxa were identified, namely, Botryosphaeria dothidea, B. mamane, Fusicoccum fabicercianum, Neofusicoccum parvum, N. brasiliense sp. nov, Neoscytalidium dimidiatum and Pseudofusicoccum stromaticum. B. dothidea and P. stromaticum were the most commonly isolated species, which represented 37 % and 33 % of all isolates respectively. B. mamane is reported for the first time in association with mango diseases worldwide. There were significant differences among the species obtained in this study in relation to optimum temperature for mycelial growth and mycelial growth rates. All species were pathogenic on mango fruit. There were significant differences in virulence among the species, with Ne. dimidiatum and N. parvum being the most virulent species, while P. stromaticum was the least virulent.