Coinfection and in vitro interaction of Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae and Pestalotiopsis mangiferae associated with dieback in branches of mango (Mangifera indica) Manila variety, in Veracruz, Mexico

Abstract

<p>Dieback disease caused by fungal complexes is a severe problem in mango trees (<em>Mangifera indica</em>). Its main symptoms are branch rot, gummosis, and finally, the tree’s death. In this work, the species of the fungal complex causing mango dieback in the Manila variety in Veracruz, Mexico were identified. The <em>in vitro </em>interaction of two species belonging to the complex was evaluated and the severity of the co-infection in mango branches. <em>Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae </em>and <em>Pestalotiopsis mangiferae </em>were identified as causal agents of mango dieback in the producing area of Veracruz. In coinfected mango branches, greater severity of necrosis was observed than in individual infections. Liquid culture filtrates applied in co-cultures showed different results for each species of phytopathogen. The <em>P. mangiferae </em>filtrate had no significant antagonistic effects on the growth of <em>L. pseudotheobromae </em>(inhibition of 2.68%), while the <em>L. pseudotheobromae </em>filtrate inhibited 41.38% of <em>P. mangiferae</em>. The results show that multiple infections in mango trees increase the damage caused by dieback, which could directly impact the development of control strategies.</p>