November 19, 2024 | Crop Protection |
A study conducted by researchers from Guizhou University and the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences focused on Colletotrichum species linked to durian (Durio zibethinus Murray) in Hainan, China, a newly established region for durian cultivation. Colletotrichum, a significant genus of plant pathogenic fungi, is known to impact tropical and subtropical crops, including durian.
The study combined phylogenetic and morphological analyses to identify Colletotrichum species affecting durian. Molecular techniques, using ITS, GAPDH, TUB2, and ApMat loci, alongside microscopic observations, revealed seven species across three complexes: C. fructicola, C. siamense, C. queenslandicum, and C. endophyticum (gloeosporioides complex); C. plurivorum and C. musicola (orchidearum complex); and C. gigasporum (gigasporum complex). Among these, C. fructicola and C. siamense were the predominant species.
Pathogenicity tests showed that all seven species could infect durian leaves via wound inoculation, while only C. fructicola, C. queenslandicum, and C. endophyticum infected non-wounded leaves. These findings advance the understanding of durian diseases, providing a basis for developing effective disease management strategies. The study emphasizes the need for broader surveys, including different sites, plant tissues, host genotypes, and fungicide sensitivity, to further enhance disease control in durian cultivation.
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