The Mango Gummosis Disease caused by the fungus Botryosphaeria dothidea is a significant threat to mango crops worldwide. The fungus can infect all parts of the mango tree, including leaves, flowers, and fruits, causing severe damage and reducing fruit yield and quality. Mango gummosis disease is commonly spread through wounds or pruning cuts on the tree, and the disease can also be transmitted through infected seeds and planting material.
The economic impact of mango gummosis disease is significant, as mangoes are a major cash crop in many countries. Effective management strategies for mango gummosis disease include regular tree maintenance, such as pruning and removing infected plant material and using fungicides and biological control agents.
Prevention through disease-free planting material and proper tree nutrition is also crucial to minimize the risk of infection. To effectively manage this disease, it is important to understand its disease cycle, the mode of disease spread, and the best methods for controlling it. This article will provide an overview and discussion of the Mango Gummosis Disease in Mango crops, including its symptoms, identification techniques, and control.
Mango Gummosis Disease Management
The Causal Organism of Mango Gummosis Disease
- Botryosphaeria dothidea is a necrotrophic and filamentous fungus that belongs to the Family Botryosphaeriaceae of Order Botryosphaeriales of the Phylum Ascomycota.
- The fungus is characterized by the production of white to grey mycelium, a network of thin, branching filaments that grow through infected plant tissue.
- The fungus produces fruiting bodies called perithecia, which are small, black, spherical structures with asci (sac-like structures) that produce ascospores. The spores are hyaline (colorless) and have a single, large central septum.
- The fungus can also produce spores, called conidia, in chains and are dispersed by wind or water.
The Disease Cycle of Mango Gummosis Disease
The disease cycle of the Mango Gummosis Disease, Botryosphaeria dothidea, in Mango Crops starts with the production of spores by the fungus. Botryosphaeria dothidea produces both spores (ascospores) and spores (conidia) that are dispersed by wind or water. These spores can infect mango trees through wounds, pruning cuts, or natural openings such as stomata and lenticels.
Once the spores have entered the mango tree, they germinate and grow into mycelium, a network of thin, branching filaments that grow through infected plant tissue. The mycelium produces enzymes that break down plant cell walls, allowing the fungus to feed on and kill living plant tissue. As the infection progresses, the mango tree responds by producing a sticky sap-like substance that oozes from the infected areas. This substance is called gummosis, a characteristic symptom of mango gummosis disease.
The infected areas on the mango tree also become sunken and dark in color, which can lead to the tree’s wilting and death. The fungus can survive in infected plant material, such as fallen leaves and fruit, or in the soil around the tree. The fungus can also survive as dormant mycelium in infected plant tissue, which can re-activate and cause new infections under favorable environmental conditions.
Occurrence of Mango Gummosis Disease in Mango Crop
- Location of Mango Gummosis disease: This disease occurs in mango crops in India, Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Philippines, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Australia.
- Host range: The most common crops affected by Botryosphaeria dothidea are mango, citrus, avocado, grapevine, apple, pear, peach, plum, apricot, olive, grapevine, ornamental plants, almond, and pistachio.
Favorable Conditions for Mango Gummosis Disease Spread in the Field
- Environmental factors such as high humidity and rainfall and poor tree nutrition can contribute to developing this disease.
- Warm and humid conditions, with temperatures between 25-30ยฐC and heavy rainfalls, are ideal for fungal growth.
- Poorly drained soils can lead to waterlogging, creating an ideal environment for the fungus.
- Wounded or damaged tissues due to pruning, mechanical injuries, or insect infestations provide an entry point for the fungus to infect the tree.
- Wet conditions due to rain, irrigation, or high humidity can create a suitable environment for the fungus to grow and spread.
- Mango trees that are stressed due to poor fertilization, water stress, or other factors are more susceptible to the disease.
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Damage Symptoms of Mango Gummosis Disease
- The disease is characterized by the formation of dark, sunken lesions on the bark of mango trees, which exude a sticky sap-like gummy substance.
- The affected wood, cracked branches, and tree bark display a profuse oozing of the gummy substance.
- The gummy substance flows down on the tree bark and turns brown to black, and shows longitudinal cracks along the bark.
- These longitudinal cracks dry up and rot completely due to rotting, cracking, and girdling effects.
- In severe cases, the disease can lead to the death of the mango tree, resulting in the loss of years of fruit production.
Percentage of Yield Loss Due to Mango Gummosis Disease in Mango Crop
- The disease can cause 40-50% yield losses in the United States. In Mexico, yield losses are 10-30%. In India, the yield losses are 10-50%. In Bangladesh, the losses are 10-30%. In Sri Lanka, the losses are 10-30%. In China, a 30% yield loss is seen.
- In Africa, yield losses are 10-50%. In the Philippines, it is 35%. In Thailand, it is 40%. In Brazil, it is 50%. In Australia, the losses are 30%. The Economic Threshold Level is determined at 10-15% of affected plants.
Cultural Control Measures of Mango Gummosis Disease
- Pruning is an important cultural practice that can improve tree vigor, reduce shading, and increase fruit quality. Pruning tools should be disinfected between cuts to prevent the spread of the disease.
- Maintaining clean orchards free from debris, fallen leaves, and diseased plant material can help reduce the inoculum load and the spread of the disease.
- Planting trees too close together can promote high humidity levels, reduce air circulation, and increase the disease’s severity. Proper spacing can help reduce the disease’s severity.
- Proper fertilization practices can improve tree health and vigor, making them more disease-resistant.
- Overhead irrigation can spread the fungus, while drip irrigation or other low-pressure systems can help to reduce the humidity levels in the orchard and limit the disease’s spread.
Biological Control Measures of Mango Gummosis Disease
- Trichoderma species produce enzymes that can degrade the cell walls of fungal pathogens, preventing their growth and spread.
- Bacillus species are bacteria that produce antibiotics that can inhibit the growth of fungal pathogens.
- Mycorrhizal fungi form beneficial relationships with plant roots, promoting plant growth and enhancing disease resistance.
- Predatory fungi such as Arthrobotrys and Dactylella can capture and kill fungal pathogens like Botryosphaeria dothidea.
Chemical Control Measures of Mango Gummosis Disease
- Spray Mancozeb, Zineb, Azoxystrobin, Pyraclostrobin, Trifloxystrobin, Tebuconazole, Propiconazole, or Kresoxim-methyl to the foliage to control the fungus spread.
- These fungicides must be applied immediately after observing the disease to prevent further losses.
Organic Control Measures of Mango Gummosis Disease
- Copper-based fungicides, such as copper sulfate and Bordeaux mixture, disrupt fungal cell membranes, inhibit their growth, and control the disease. These should be sprayed before the flowering and fruiting stages of the tree.
- Compost tea, a liquid fertilizer made by steeping compost in water, contains beneficial microorganisms that can suppress the disease.
- Essential oils, such as clove, cinnamon, and thyme oils, can be applied as sprays or incorporated into the soil, but they may have phytotoxic effects if used at high concentrations.
- Plant extracts, such as extracts from neem, ginger, garlic, and turmeric leaves, are used as a foliar spray or incorporated into the soil to suppress the disease.
Preventive Measures for Control of Mango Gummosis Disease
- Planting healthy and disease-free mango saplings is crucial in preventing the spread of the disease.
- Solarization involves covering the soil with a transparent plastic sheet to trap heat and increase soil temperature to kill fungi and other soil-borne pathogens. Solarization should be done before planting trees.
- Crop rotation is essential to reduce the buildup of soil-borne pathogens that can cause the disease. The rotation cycle should be at least four years to be effective.
- Regularly monitoring the crops for signs of disease will help to find and manage the disease early before it spreads.
- Always use sterilized and disinfected pruning equipment to prevent the spread of the disease to new trees.
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Conclusion
The Mango Gummosis Disease caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea is a severe problem in mango cultivation that can cause significant economic losses. The disease can be controlled through integrated disease management, which involves a combination of preventive measures such as orchard sanitation, proper irrigation, and drainage, use of fungicides, crop rotation, soil solarization, use of disease-free planting material, and training and monitoring. Integrated disease management is an effective approach to controlling the disease and preventing its spread.
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