Mango anthracnose disease: the current situation and direction for future research

Mango anthracnose disease (MAD) is a destructive disease of mangoes, with estimated yield losses of up to 100% in unmanaged plantations. Several strains that constitute Colletotrichum complexes are implicated in MAD worldwide. All mangoes grown for commercial purposes are susceptible, and a resistant cultivar for all strains is not presently available on the market. The infection can widely spread before being detected since the disease is invincible until after a protracted latent period. The detection of multiple strains of the pathogen in Mexico, Brazil, and China has prompted a significant increase in research on the disease. Synthetic pesticide application is the primary management technique used to manage the disease. However, newly observed declines in anthracnose susceptibility to many fungicides highlight the need for more environmentally friendly approaches. Recent progress in understanding the host range, molecular and phenotypic characterization, and susceptibility of the disease in several mango cultivars is discussed in this review. It provides updates on the mode of transmission, infection biology and contemporary management strategies. We suggest an integrated and ecologically sound approach to managing MAD.

Bioactivity of an organic farming aid with possible fungistatic properties against some oil palm seedling foliar pathogens

Synthetic fungicides are necessary evil in crop production, their usage cannot be neglected or abandoned but must be alternated/supplemented with other control measures such as cultural, host resistance and biocontrol methods to reduce their detrimental effect on the environment and living organisms. A bioproduct (wood vinegar) was evaluated against oil palm seedling pathogens at CSIR-Oil Palm Research Institute, Kusi at different concentrations and compared with an inorganic fungicide at the manufacturer's recommended dosage. Disease pathogens were isolated from collected diseased leaf samples and pure cultures were established on cPDA. PDA was amended with wood vinegar ranging from 0 to 3.35% and 0.1%v/v of carbendazim as a positive control. Daily colony growth was measured in two diagonal lengths and averages of day 6 and day 7 were used to calculate the inhibition percentage for both pathogens. 11 mm/day was the lowest average growth rate recorded for 2.68% v/v of wood vinegar and 14.17 mm/day on control plate of Curvularia species. There was no significant difference between 0.1%v/v carbendazim, 2.68 and 3.35% v/v against Curvularia species whilst significantly, there was difference between 0.1%v/v carbendazim and 2.68 and 3.35%v/v of wood vinegar against Pestalotiopsis species.