Prevalence of <i>Neofusicoccum parvum</i> Associated with Fruit Rot of Mango in South Italy and Its Biological Control Under Postharvest Conditions

Botryosphaeriaceae species were recently found to be responsible for heavy mango crop losses worldwide. In 2020, mango fruit samples showing fruit decay symptoms were collected from Glenn, Kent, Irwin, Palmer, Brokaw 2, and Gomera 3 accessions in 4 orchards located in Sicily (Italy). A molecular ana...

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Main Authors: Laura Vecchio, Alessandro Vitale, Dalia Aiello, Chiara Di Pietro, Lucia Parafati, Giancarlo Polizzi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Fungi
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/5/384
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author Laura Vecchio
Alessandro Vitale
Dalia Aiello
Chiara Di Pietro
Lucia Parafati
Giancarlo Polizzi
author_facet Laura Vecchio
Alessandro Vitale
Dalia Aiello
Chiara Di Pietro
Lucia Parafati
Giancarlo Polizzi
author_sort Laura Vecchio
collection DOAJ
description Botryosphaeriaceae species were recently found to be responsible for heavy mango crop losses worldwide. In 2020, mango fruit samples showing fruit decay symptoms were collected from Glenn, Kent, Irwin, Palmer, Brokaw 2, and Gomera 3 accessions in 4 orchards located in Sicily (Italy). A molecular analysis of the ITS and tub2 regions performed on 41 representative isolates allowed for the identification of mainly <i>Neofusicoccum parvum</i> and occasionally <i>Botryosphaeria dothidea</i> (1/41) as the causal agents of fruit decay. Pathogenicity proofs were satisfied for both fungal pathogens. Ripe and unripe Gomera 3 mango fruits were used to compare the virulence among the <i>N. parvum</i> isolates. Postharvest experiments performed on Gomera 3 fruits and by using different biocontrol agents (BCAs) showed that the performance of treatments in reducing fruit decay depends on <i>N. parvum</i> virulence. The data show that unregistered <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i> WA-2 and <i>Pichia kluyveri</i> PK-3, followed by the trade bioformulate Serenade™ <i>(Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i> QST713), were the most effective in managing mango fruit rot. This paper shows, for the first time, the potential of different BCAs, including <i>Trichoderma</i> spp., for the controlling of postharvest decay caused by <i>N. parvum</i> on mango fruits.
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spelling doaj-art-e76c433708dc46d99074fb9462a1a4e92025-08-20T02:33:50ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2025-05-0111538410.3390/jof11050384Prevalence of <i>Neofusicoccum parvum</i> Associated with Fruit Rot of Mango in South Italy and Its Biological Control Under Postharvest ConditionsLaura Vecchio0Alessandro Vitale1Dalia Aiello2Chiara Di Pietro3Lucia Parafati4Giancarlo Polizzi5Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyBotryosphaeriaceae species were recently found to be responsible for heavy mango crop losses worldwide. In 2020, mango fruit samples showing fruit decay symptoms were collected from Glenn, Kent, Irwin, Palmer, Brokaw 2, and Gomera 3 accessions in 4 orchards located in Sicily (Italy). A molecular analysis of the ITS and tub2 regions performed on 41 representative isolates allowed for the identification of mainly <i>Neofusicoccum parvum</i> and occasionally <i>Botryosphaeria dothidea</i> (1/41) as the causal agents of fruit decay. Pathogenicity proofs were satisfied for both fungal pathogens. Ripe and unripe Gomera 3 mango fruits were used to compare the virulence among the <i>N. parvum</i> isolates. Postharvest experiments performed on Gomera 3 fruits and by using different biocontrol agents (BCAs) showed that the performance of treatments in reducing fruit decay depends on <i>N. parvum</i> virulence. The data show that unregistered <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i> WA-2 and <i>Pichia kluyveri</i> PK-3, followed by the trade bioformulate Serenade™ <i>(Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i> QST713), were the most effective in managing mango fruit rot. This paper shows, for the first time, the potential of different BCAs, including <i>Trichoderma</i> spp., for the controlling of postharvest decay caused by <i>N. parvum</i> on mango fruits.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/5/384<i>Neofusicoccum parvum</i>Botryosphaeriaceaemango fruit decaybiocontrol agentskiller yeasts
spellingShingle Laura Vecchio
Alessandro Vitale
Dalia Aiello
Chiara Di Pietro
Lucia Parafati
Giancarlo Polizzi
Prevalence of <i>Neofusicoccum parvum</i> Associated with Fruit Rot of Mango in South Italy and Its Biological Control Under Postharvest Conditions
Journal of Fungi
<i>Neofusicoccum parvum</i>
Botryosphaeriaceae
mango fruit decay
biocontrol agents
killer yeasts
title Prevalence of <i>Neofusicoccum parvum</i> Associated with Fruit Rot of Mango in South Italy and Its Biological Control Under Postharvest Conditions
title_full Prevalence of <i>Neofusicoccum parvum</i> Associated with Fruit Rot of Mango in South Italy and Its Biological Control Under Postharvest Conditions
title_fullStr Prevalence of <i>Neofusicoccum parvum</i> Associated with Fruit Rot of Mango in South Italy and Its Biological Control Under Postharvest Conditions
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of <i>Neofusicoccum parvum</i> Associated with Fruit Rot of Mango in South Italy and Its Biological Control Under Postharvest Conditions
title_short Prevalence of <i>Neofusicoccum parvum</i> Associated with Fruit Rot of Mango in South Italy and Its Biological Control Under Postharvest Conditions
title_sort prevalence of i neofusicoccum parvum i associated with fruit rot of mango in south italy and its biological control under postharvest conditions
topic <i>Neofusicoccum parvum</i>
Botryosphaeriaceae
mango fruit decay
biocontrol agents
killer yeasts
url https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/5/384
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