Molecular Characterization of Fusarium mangiferae Associated With Malformation of Mango in Pakistan
Shazia Iram: Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi
<div>Mango malformation is considered as the most devastating disease of mango. The present study has assessed the prevalence and severity of mango malformation in Punjab province (Pakistan) as well as molecular characterization of fungal pathogens associated with mango Malformation. A survey was conducted in 3 districts of Punjab that are Multan, Khanewal and Muzafargarh. Thirty eight orchards were visited in three districts of the Punjab province to confirm the status of mango malformation. Hundred percent prevalence was shown in Muzafargarh and Multan. The causative pathogens of malformation were isolated and morphologically identified by determining cultural characteristics. One specie from genus Fusarium, “<em>Fusarium mangiferae</em>”, was identified and its identification was confirmed by molecular sequencing analysis. A pair of ITS primer was used to amplify the obtained DNA. The amplified PCR products were resolved using 2% agarose gel, stained with ethidium bromide. Isolates’ band size was in range 580-600 base pair. The amplified products from ITS-5.8S-rDNA were sequenced and then compared to ITS sequences of isolated species from NCBI which showed 97 to 100 % similarity with <em>Fusarium magnifierae</em>. Sequences obtained in this study were aligned and a neighbor joining tree was rooted to determine phylogenetic relation among the isolate of detected specie and their similar species. Results obtained through this work would be supportive in establishment of association of isolates with their region and also helpful to device management strategies to decrease the mango diseases and disorders in orchards caused by Mango Malformation.</div>
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