Identification and pathogenicity of microorganisms affecting purple passion fruit in Colombia

Joaquín Guillermo Ramírez Gil,Pablo Julián Tamayo,Juan Gonzalo Morales

doi:10.1590/0034-737x201764030005

Joaquín Guillermo Ramírez Gil, Pablo Julián Tamayo + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-737x201764030005

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. edulis Sims, known in Colombia as “gulupa”) is an increasingly important crop in Colombia, as seen by an increase in the area under cultivation. This recent prominence coincides with a low number of existing technologies related to the cultivation of the fruit, resulting in a lack of knowledge about its associated pathogens and the absence of rapid and precise diagnostic tests. The objective of this study was to determine the pathogenicity of distinct microorganisms isolated from purple passion fruit samples, some of which had not been previously reported in Colombia. The sampling was performed in seven plots located in two regions of the Colombian Antioquia. With the use of field symptomatology, the isolation of microorganisms, morphological characteristics, molecular analysis, and pathogenicity tests, the pathogen species Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu lato, and Phytophthora drechsleri were identified for the first time in Colombia. These pathogens cause lesions in fruits, with an incidence of 10.9, 7.6, and 2.8%, respectively. This is also the first report on a global level of Phytophthora drechsleri causing a disease in this plant species.

Highlights

IntroductionKnown as “gulupa” (Passiflora edulis f. edulis Sims), is a tropical fruit cultivated between 600 and 2,000 masl
Purple passion fruit, known as “gulupa” (Passiflora edulis f. edulis Sims), is a tropical fruit cultivated between 600 and 2,000 masl
The purple passion fruit is native to southern Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina and is currently grown in four continents: Africa (Ivory Coast, Kenya, South Africa, and Zimbabwe), Asia (India, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, and Vietnam), Oceania (Australia and New Zealand), and America (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Hawaii (USA)) (Ocampo & Morales, 2012)

Summary

Introduction

Known as “gulupa” (Passiflora edulis f. edulis Sims), is a tropical fruit cultivated between 600 and 2,000 masl. The purple passion fruit is native to southern Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina and is currently grown in four continents: Africa (Ivory Coast, Kenya, South Africa, and Zimbabwe), Asia (India, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, and Vietnam), Oceania (Australia and New Zealand), and America (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Hawaii (USA)) (Ocampo & Morales, 2012). This fruit is consumed domestically mainly in South America and is grown for exportation (Nakasone & Paull, 1998; Riascos et al, 2011; Ramírez et al, 2015). Purple passion fruit is affected by various diseases with economic implications, which can generate production losses

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