Elsinoë mangiferae
Encyclopedia
Elsinoë mangiferae, common name Mango Scab, is also known Denticularia mangiferae or Sphaceloma mangiferae (anamorph). It is an ascomycete plant pathogen native to tropical regions and specific for survival on only one host, the mango. Originally described in 1943 from Florida and Cuba
specimens, this pathogen has since spread world wide and is becoming a pathogen of great concern for the mango industries in Australia and India. E. mangiferae is an obligate parasite of mango
, and therefore cannot be grown outside of living plant tissue.
With severe infections, fruit drop and defoliation may occur, and surviving fruit and plants suffer scarring that reduce their commercial value.
Benomyl, the systemic benzimidazole
fungicide, has also been used as a means to control mango scab infection, but has been out of production since 2001.
Reduction of inoculum is also essential for control of this disease. Due to its saprotrophic lifestyle, inoculum can survive on fallen leaves and dead twigs long term, which necessitates the removal or destruction of dead plant material to prevent disease spread.
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
specimens, this pathogen has since spread world wide and is becoming a pathogen of great concern for the mango industries in Australia and India. E. mangiferae is an obligate parasite of mango
Mango
The mango is a fleshy stone fruit belonging to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous tropical fruiting trees in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The mango is native to India from where it spread all over the world. It is also the most cultivated fruit of the tropical world. While...
, and therefore cannot be grown outside of living plant tissue.
Symptoms
E. mangiferae produces symptoms superficially similar to anthracnose infections, which are also common on mango. The disease initially presents as small dark brown or gray spots on the underside of leaves or fruit. These spots enlarge and darken over time, developing a velvety or cracked texture in the center of the lesion. The main lifestyle difference between these two is that anthracnose infections are caused by saprotrophic fungi, while E. mangiferae is exclusively a biotrophic pathogen.With severe infections, fruit drop and defoliation may occur, and surviving fruit and plants suffer scarring that reduce their commercial value.
Infection and spread
Germination of E. mangiferae spores requires a period of moist conditions and free water. The pathogen only infects young tissue, especially new set fruit. The spores are primarily spread by rain dispersal, over short distances, but heavy rains and irrigation, as well as moisture inductive microclimate (low ground, etc.) promote conidiation and spread over larger areas.Control
Control is mainly attempted via regular protective application of copper fungicides, specifically copper hydroxide and copper oxychloride. Increased application schedules are recommended in moist climates and seasons.Benomyl, the systemic benzimidazole
Benzimidazole
Benzimidazole is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound. This bicyclic compound consists of the fusion of benzene and imidazole. The most prominent benzimidazole compound in nature is N-ribosyl-dimethylbenzimidazole, which serves as an axial ligand for cobalt in vitamin B12. Benzimidazole, in...
fungicide, has also been used as a means to control mango scab infection, but has been out of production since 2001.
Reduction of inoculum is also essential for control of this disease. Due to its saprotrophic lifestyle, inoculum can survive on fallen leaves and dead twigs long term, which necessitates the removal or destruction of dead plant material to prevent disease spread.