Identification and Pathogenicity of Fungal Pathogens Associated with Stem-End Rot of Avocado in California

• DOI: 10.1094/pdis-03-13-0230-re
• Publication Date: 2013-06-18T19:07:55Z
• Authors: M. Twizeyimana; H. Förster; V. McDonald; D. H. Wang; J. E. Adaskaveg; A. Eskalen
• Keywords: Stem rot; Lasiodiplodia theobromae; Phomopsis; Colletotrichum

Stem-end rot of harvested avocado fruit commonly occurs wherever the crop is cultivated. Multiple fungal species have been described as causal agents. To determine pathogens stem-end in California, isolations were conducted from symptomatic fruit, and fungi identified by morphological molecular techniques. In 2010 2011, a total 177 isolates recovered 290 collected seven orchards one major growing areas Southern California. The majority was Neofusicoccum luteum (65%), with remainder either Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (33%) or Phomopsis sp. (2%). pathogenicity test, N. caused significantly (P < 0.05) more severe than C. No significant > differences severity observed between inoculations isolated parvum branch cankers. This confirms that can be initiated causing Although low humidity rainfall during much harvest seasons California are considered unfavorable conditions for development rot, identification value when decays to managed outbreaks, it stresses importance managing