Characterization of Neopestalotiopsis Species Associated with Mango Grey Leaf Spot Disease in Sinaloa, Mexico

Abstract

Mango is one of the most popular and nutritious fruits in the world and Mexico is the world’s largest exporter. There are many diseases that directly affect fruit yield and quality. During the period 2016–2017, leaves with grey leaf spots were collected from 28 commercial mango orchards distributed in two main production areas in Sinaloa State of Mexico, and 50 Neopestalotiopsis isolates were obtained. Fungal identification of 20 representative isolates was performed using morphological characterization and phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA, part of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF) and the β-tubulin (TUB) genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the 20 isolates from this study formed four consistent groups, however, overall tree topologies do not consistently provide a stable and sufficient resolution. Therefore, even though morphological and phylogenetic separation is evident, these isolates were not assigned to any new taxa and were tentatively placed into four clades (clades A–D). Pathogenicity tests on detached mango leaves of cv. Kent showed that the 20 isolates that belong to the four Neopestalotiopsis clades from this study and induce lesions on mango leaves. This is the first report of species of Neopestalotiopsis causing mango grey leaf spot disease in Mexico.

Five new species of Neopestalotiopsis associated with diseased Eucalyptus spp. in Portugal

“…For this reason, we decided not to give them a name until that clade has been resolved. This is in accordance with recent studies where poor resolution was obtained for some species in Neopestalotiopsis (Belisário et al 2020;Gerardo-Lugo et al 2020;Liu et al 2017).…”

Neopestalotiopsis Species Associated with Flower Diseases of Macadamia integrifolia in Australia

“…Neopestalotiopsis drenthii, N. maddoxii, N. olumideae, N. vheenae, and N. zakeelii formed well-supported monophyletic clades in the phylogenetic analysis. The topology of our phylogeny is similar to those generated in earlier studies [29,57].…”

“…Five novel species, Neopestalotiopsis drenthii, N. maddoxii, N. olumi N. zakeelii, were discovered in isolates obtained from macadamia inflo flower disease and subsequently described. There was no evidence o recombination events between these species and their closest relatives Pestalotioid fungi (Pestalotiopsidaceae, Sordariomycetes) are s taxa, which are common pathogens on many crops [30,32,57]. Multi…”

“…Pestalotioid fungi (Pestalotiopsidaceae, Sordariomycetes) are species-rich asexual taxa, which are common pathogens on many crops [30,32,57]. Multi-locus phylogenetic analyses segregated Neopestalotiopsis and Pseudopestalotiopsis from Pestalotiopsis [17].…”

Comparative Mitogenomics Analysis Revealed Evolutionary Divergence among Neopestalotiopsis Species Complex (Fungi: Xylariales)

“…The Neopestalotiopsis species have a broad ecological range, as they function as saprobes, tree associates, and post-harvest disease agents, typically causing fruit ring spot and leaf blight diseases. The genus has a worldwide distribution that transcends geographic limitations, with documented occurrences in astonishing habitats, including subterranean environments like caves in China [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Public repository databases have no comprehensive mitochondrial genome for members within the Neopestalotiopsis species complex.…”