Identification and Pathogenicity of Organisms Associated with Anthracnose Disease of Mango in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Some mango fruits marketed in Yola and environs show some anthracnose diseases symptoms.

Aims: Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify fungal organisms associated with Anthracnose disease of mango in Yola, Adamawa state, Northeastern Nigeria and to test their pathogenicity.

Study Design: Laboratory based controlled experiment.

Methodology: Naturally anthracnose infected mango fruits and leaves were purposely sampled from different home gardens, farms, and markets in Yola. The symptomatic plant parts were immediately taken to the laboratory for direct isolation, characterization, identification and pathogenicity testing of fungal isolates.

Results: A total of 19 fungal colonies were obtained from the anthracnose infected mango fruits and leaves. Based on similarity of morphological features (colony colour, texture presence of septate mycelia or not, spore shape and number of septa), fungal colonies were grouped into 3 species and were identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus oryzae. C. gloeosporioides had the highest percentage (66.7%) (77.8%) frequency of occurrence in infected fruits and leaves respectively, compared to A. niger which recorded 11.1% and 20.0% and R. oryzae with 22.2% and 10%. Pathogenicity test revealed only C. gloeosporioides was found pathogenic while the remaining two; A. niger and R. oryzae were non-pathogenic.

Conclusion: Findings of this study has indicated that C. gloeosporioides is the etiological agent of anthracnose of mango in the area.