First report of Neoscytalidium dimidiatum causing stem canker on pitaya (Hylocereus costaricensis) in Pará, Brazil
June 04, 2024 | Crop Protection |
Scientists at the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil undertook a study to determine the cause of stem canker in pitaya (Hylocereus costaricensis) in the region of Pará, Brazil. Pitaya, a cactus cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, has seen increased orchard installations across Brazil, with some diseases linked to phytopathogens reported. In Pará, a fungus resembling the genus Neoscytalidium was frequently associated with stem canker symptoms in pitaya.
To identify the pathogen, researchers isolated it from symptomatic pitaya cladodes and conducted macroscopic and microscopic analyses, molecular analysis, and pathogenicity tests. The pathogen exhibited rapid growth on potato dextrose agar (PDA), with light gray colonies turning dark gray over 14 days. Microscopic evaluation revealed septate and branched hyphae, and ellipsoid to ovoid conidia with smooth walls, typically measuring 7.2-12x3-7.8μm.
Molecular analysis using ITS and TUB2 sequences showed 100% identity with Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, confirmed by BLAST analysis. Phylogenetic analysis placed the isolate close to those from China and Vietnam. Pathogenicity tests confirmed Neoscytalidium dimidiatum as the causal agent of stem canker in pitaya in Pará. These findings provide a basis for future studies on managing this disease.
Read more
Viewed Articles
June 04, 2024 | Crop Protection |Scientists at the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil undertook a study to determine the cause of stem canker in pitaya (Hylocereus costaricensis) in the region of
Read More
April 10, 2026 | Sustainable Environment | This study conducted by Aarhus University, Denmark examined the global environmental impacts associated with the production, consumption, and international t
February 06, 2026 | Applied Fruit Science | GomastaThis study conducted by Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU), Bangladesh evaluated the use of gibberellic acid (GA₃) to improve fruit retention, yie
April 09, 2026 | Plant disease | This study conducted by the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, U.S.A., investigated the distribution of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN
January 16, 2026 | BMC Plant Biology | RozmanUniversiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia, investigated a combined treatment strategy for enhancing drought tolerance in papaya (Carica papaya L.), a major tropi
June 05, 2026 | Frontiers in Plant Science |Â This study conducted by the University of Palermo, Italy examined research trends and knowledge gaps related to tropical fruit cultivation in the Mediterra
