RAPD analysis of Fusarium Isolates Causing “Mango Malformation” Disease in Pakistan

Abstract

Mango Malformation (MM) disease is a major constraint to mango production. A total of 20 Fusarium isolates from MM-affected mango plants were collected from 14 locations in Pakistan and assessed for genetic diversity using the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. A total of 393 fragments were amplified after screening with 50 random primers. The amplifications with 45 primers identified scoreable polymorphisms among the isolates. A genetic similarity matrix based on Nei and Li's index determined coefficients ranging from 46.46% to 92.51%. These coefficients were used to construct a dendrogram using the UPGMA algorithm. The isolates grouped into two main clusters, comprising 13 and 7 isolates respectively, at a genetic relatedness of 52%. Within the clusters, Fusarium isolates were not necessarily related either by geographic origin or by the mango cultivar from which they were isolated. RAPD proved a reproducible and tractable means of differentiating Fusarium isolates. These findings also suggest that some infections originate not from adjacent plants within an orchard but from geographically distant areas; indicating that most probably infection occurs in nurseries prior to plants being transported around the country for subsequent cultivation, and that improved plant hygiene could significantly curb MM infection and spread.

Identification and characterization of Fusarium mangiferae as pathogen of mango malformation in India

“…The gathering of stubby leaves into close folds similar to incipient bunchy top met under natural normal conditions, which is in accordance with previous workers [9,32] on pathogenicity. Early and easy disease detection of F. mangiferae is necessary for effective and timely management of mango malformation.…”

Fusarium mangiferae associated with mango malformation in the Sultanate of Oman

“…Based on results with species-specific PCR primers, the pathogen may also exist in Spain (S. Freeman, personal communication). A recent report from Pakistan cannot be confirmed based on the diagnostic data it contained (Iqbal et al 2006).…”

Transcription Profiling Analysis of Mango–Fusarium mangiferae Interaction

“…In the past decade, MMD has destroyed many thousands of hectares of mango in tropical and subtropical countries. Because of the economic importance of MMD, many studies have been performed on the occurrence (Steenkamp et al, 2000 ; Lima et al, 2009 ; Iqbal et al, 2011b ), pathogen genetic diversity (Iqbal et al, 2006 ; Liu et al, 2014 ), pathogen detection (Wu et al, 2016 ), pathogen cytology (Iqbal et al, 2010 ), infection life cycle (Freeman et al, 1999 ; Gamliel-Atinsky et al, 2009 ), and chemical control (Iqbal et al, 2011a ) of the disease, but research on the screening of mango germplasm for MMD resistance and on molecular mechanisms underlying MMD resistance and the pathogenicity of F. mangiferae is scarce (Singh, 2006 ). The main control measures against MMD include destruction of diseased mango branches, use of disease-free plant materials and fungicides.…”