Abstract
ABSTRACT Colletotrichum spp. is a pathogenic fungus of great importance in banana cultivation since it affects the fruit both in the field and in the post-harvest period, depreciating its commercial value. Although this disease is widely distributed in regions of banana cultivation, the different levels of aggression suggest the existence of genetic variability among Colletotrichum spp. isolates. The objective of the present study was therefore to verify the genetic diversity of Colletotrichum spp. in banana fruits presenting anthracnose symptoms using both molecular marker ISSR and morphological characterization. We obtained 30 isolates of the fungus from banana fruits from different states of Brazil and performed molecular characterization with five primers using the ISSR-PCR technique. The results were used to construct a dendrogram, relating the isolates according to their genetic proximity. The morphocultural characterization was performed by analyzing colony coloration and growth rate. These methods allowed us to reveal genetic and morphocultural variability among isolates.
Highlights
Brazil is the fourth largest banana-producing country in the world, with a production of approximately 7 million tons in the 2018 crop (IBGE 2019), representing 6% of the worldwide total (FAO 2017)
This infection can occur in the field, while the fruits are still green; the development of symptoms occurs in the maturation phase (CORDEIRO; MATOS, 2005)
The Prata and Nanica commercial varieties of banana with typical symptoms of anthracnose were collected from the states of Minas Gerais (MG), São Paulo (SP), Santa Catarina (SC), and Rio Grande do Norte (RN) (Table 1)
Summary
Brazil is the fourth largest banana-producing country in the world, with a production of approximately 7 million tons in the 2018 crop (IBGE 2019), representing 6% of the worldwide total (FAO 2017). Banana production is distributed among the 27 units of the Federation, with the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais being two of the largest producers. Phytosanitary problems affect both the productivity of the crop and the export of its fruits. Several diseases can affect banana culture, a major one being anthracnose caused by the fungus Colletotrichum musae (Berk & Curt). This infection can occur in the field, while the fruits are still green; the development of symptoms occurs in the maturation phase (CORDEIRO; MATOS, 2005). Fruit stains and shelf life reduction undoubtedly result in losses for the producer, trader, and consumer (CORDEIRO; MATOS; FILHO 2004)
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