April 09, 2026 | Indian Phytopathology |
This study conducted by the ICAR–Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, India investigated a severe stem rot disease affecting red-fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) in Meghalaya, India. Dragon fruit cultivation has expanded in India due to increasing consumer demand and its adaptability to diverse growing conditions. However, emerging diseases pose risks to sustainable production and crop health.
In July 2022, researchers observed severe stem rot symptoms in experimental farms, including circular rot, brown sunken lesions, white fungal growth, and orange masses of spores on infected stems. The causal fungus was isolated and cultured on potato dextrose agar, where it produced characteristic whitish mycelial growth and cream pigmentation. Pathogenicity testing confirmed that the isolated fungus caused the same symptoms observed under natural infection, fulfilling Koch’s postulates.
Morphological examination combined with molecular and phylogenetic analyses of ITS, TEF-1, and RPB2 gene regions identified the pathogen as Fusarium longifundum. The study confirmed this fungus as the causal agent of stem rot in dragon fruit. According to the authors, this is the first documented report of Fusarium longifundum infecting red-fleshed dragon fruit in India. The findings expand current knowledge of dragon fruit pathogens and highlight the importance of developing effective disease monitoring and management strategies for emerging tropical fruit industries.
