Abstract
A study was conducted to test the pathogenicity of an endophytic fungus associated with asymptomatic cacao leaves, to determine its identity through cultural, morphological and molecular characterization, and to evaluate itsantagonistic ability vs. Phytophthora palmivora causing cacao black pod rot disease. Experiments were carried out under laboratory and shade house conditions. Homogeneity of variances and normal data distribution were determined using Bartlett’s and Shapiro–Wilk tests, respectively. Inoculation of the endophyte in healthy cacao seedlings and pods at 5 × 105 to 1 × 106 conidia per mL by spraying resulted in asymptomatic infections. The endophyte was recovered from artificially inoculated tissues 14 and 26 days after inoculation (DAI) (UF18 seedlings), and at 10 (K9 seedlings) and 14 DAI from cacao pods. The endophyte was identified as Colletotrichum siamense based on its cultural, morphological and molecular characteristics. In vitroanti-pathogen assays showed that C. siamense had the potential to limit pathogen growth by antibiosis. At 3, 5 and 7 days after incubation period (DAIP), growth of the pathogen in co-cultivation with the endophyte measured 60.0, 70.0 and 71.0 mm, respectively, which wasconsiderably lower than the growth of the pathogen alone.
Highlights
Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is an important crop cultivated worldwide, because of its properties as primary raw material in the production of chocolates and other byproducts [1]
Cacao is affected by diseases that negatively influence its growth, yield and quality.Among them, black pod rot (BPR) caused by Phytophthora palmivora is considered the most devastating [2,3]
Corda EF 39 was identified as C. siamense based on its cultural, morphological and molecular characteristics
Summary
Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is an important crop cultivated worldwide, because of its properties as primary raw material in the production of chocolates and other byproducts [1]. Cacao is affected by diseases that negatively influence its growth, yield and quality.Among them, black pod rot (BPR) caused by Phytophthora palmivora is considered the most devastating [2,3]. The pathogen attacks all plant parts at any growth stage, and can cause up to 20–30% pod losses [3]. One of the effective means to manage the disease is through chemical control [3,4]. Despite its efficacy, long-term utilization of chemicals may yield adverse effects such as toxicity in plants and non-target organisms [5], contamination of soil and water systems and development of resistance among populations of Phytophthora [6]. Chemical control is not costeffective, for small landholders who constitute the majority of cacao growers
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