November 19, 2024 | Crop Protection |
Researchers from the Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University and the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, China, conducted a study on Colletotrichum species associated with durian (Durio zibethinus Murray) in Hainan, China. Durian, an economically important tropical fruit, is increasingly cultivated in Hainan, a new region for durian production. Diseases caused by Colletotrichum, a major genus of plant pathogenic fungi, pose significant risks to tropical and subtropical crops, including durian.
The study used phylogenetic analyses and morphological observations to identify Colletotrichum species present in durian tissues. Molecular identification was conducted using sequences from internal transcribed spacer (ITS), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), β-tubulin (TUB2), and mating type locus MAT1-2 (ApMat) genes. Seven Colletotrichum species were identified from three species complexes: C. fructicola, C. siamense, C. queenslandicum, and C. endophyticum (gloeosporioides complex); C. plurivorum and C. musicola (orchidearum complex); and C. gigasporum (gigasporum complex).
Pathogenicity tests demonstrated that all species could infect durian leaves through wound inoculation, but only C. fructicola, C. queenslandicum, and C. endophyticum could infect without wounding. The findings contribute to understanding durian disease etiology and support the development of disease management strategies. Further research is recommended to include broader sampling, pathogenicity testing on various host genotypes, and fungicide sensitivity assessments.
