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Identification and Pathogenicity of Fungal Pathogens Associated with Stem End Rots of Avocado Fruits in Kenya
Joint Authors
Wanjiku, E. K.
Wanjala, B. W.
Mbaka, J. N.
Waceke, J. W.
Source
International Journal of Microbiology
Issue
Vol. 2020, Issue 2020 (31 Dec. 2020), pp.1-8, 8 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2020-07-09
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
8
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Losses associated with stem end rot (SER) of avocado fruits have been reported in all avocado growing regions of the world.
In Kenya, mature avocado fruits present SER symptoms during storage and marketing, but the disease causal agent(s) has not been established.
This study aimed to identify the fungal pathogen(s) associated with avocado SER in Kenya and evaluate its pathogenicity.
Fungal isolates were collected from symptomatic avocado fruits from randomly selected orchards and major markets within Murang'a County, a major avocado growing region in Kenya, between September 2017 and March 2018.
A total of 207 and 125 fungal isolates, recovered from orchards and major markets, respectively, were identified morphologically and further confirmed by molecular techniques.
The identified isolates were Lasiodiplodia theobromae (39.8%), Neofusicoccum parvum (24.4%), Nectria pseudotrichia (18.4%), Fusarium solani (7.2%), F.
oxysporum (5.1%), F.
equiseti (3.9%), and Geotricum candidum (1.2%).
Geotricum candidum was exclusively recovered from fruits from the market.
In the pathogenicity test, L.
theobromae, N.
parvum, and N.
pseudotrichia caused the most severe SER symptoms.
Consequently, they were considered to be the major pathogens of SER of avocado fruits in Kenya.
To our knowledge, this is the first report of SER pathogen of avocado fruits in Kenya.
Given the significant contribution of avocado fruits to household income and foreign exchange in Kenya, this information is significant to further develop management strategies of postharvest loss of avocado fruits in Kenya.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Wanjiku, E. K.& Waceke, J. W.& Wanjala, B. W.& Mbaka, J. N.. 2020. Identification and Pathogenicity of Fungal Pathogens Associated with Stem End Rots of Avocado Fruits in Kenya. International Journal of Microbiology،Vol. 2020, no. 2020, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1172108
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Wanjiku, E. K.…[et al.]. Identification and Pathogenicity of Fungal Pathogens Associated with Stem End Rots of Avocado Fruits in Kenya. International Journal of Microbiology No. 2020 (2020), pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1172108
American Medical Association (AMA)
Wanjiku, E. K.& Waceke, J. W.& Wanjala, B. W.& Mbaka, J. N.. Identification and Pathogenicity of Fungal Pathogens Associated with Stem End Rots of Avocado Fruits in Kenya. International Journal of Microbiology. 2020. Vol. 2020, no. 2020, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1172108
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1172108