First report of mango malformation disease caused by Fusarium mangiferae in Sri Lanka.
Sinniah G. D., Adikaram N. K. B., Vithanage I. S. K., Abayasekara C. L., Maymon M., Freeman S.
Author Affiliation: Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka.
Plant Disease 97 :427
Abstract : Mango malformation disease (MMD) is one of the most devastating diseases causing severe economic losses to this crop worldwide. MMD has not been reported in Sri Lanka although the disease was reported in neighbouring India over a century ago. Abnormal, thick, and fleshy mango panicles (40%) and proliferating stunted shoots (1%) showing characteristic malformation symptoms were observed in Peradeniya-Kandy area. Malformed inflorescences and vegetative shoots were collected during January to March and September to November in 2008 through 2012. Based on morphological characteristics, PCR assays, and pathogenicity test, the causal agent was identified as F. mangiferae. This is thought to be the first report of MMD in the inflorescence and the vegetative shoots caused by F. mangiferae in Sri Lanka.