Erythricium salmonicolor is the cause of pink disease in cocoa in the humid tropics. The growth of 4 isolates (ES-WR006, ES-WR008, ES-ER009 and ES-ER010) of the fungus on different sources of nutrient (carbohydrate, amino acid and vitamin) and environmental conditions (temperature, pH and light) were evaluated in the laboratory. The pink disease isolates utilised the nutrients to different extent, with the best radial mycelial growth rate achieved with isolate ES-WR008 followed by ES-WR006. None of the isolates produced spores in the laboratory. The isolates utilised polysaccharides as best as disaccharides and monosaccharaides. Among 7 amino acids assayed, aspartic acid was the most promising for vegetative growth. The best radial mycelial growth on vitamins was attained on folic acid and riboflavin. The minimum, optimum and maximum temperatures for growing the fungus were 18 °C, 28 °C and 34 °C respectively. Survival of E. salmonicolor isolates within the temperature range of 18-34 °C is consistent with temperatures for growing cocoa in Ghana. The isolates also grew well within a pH range of 4-8, with the best growth at pH 6. Light quality and duration influenced the vegetative growth of the isolates. Pink disease isolates maintained in 24 hr darkness or 24 hr light performed better than in alternating 12 hr darkness and 12 hr light. There was a significant (p<0.05) repressive effect of the alternating dark and light exposures on vegetative growth of the fungus. The implications of the results for efficient management of the cocoa disease are discussed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.