Journal of Taiwan Agricultural Research

Author:Hui-Fang Ni, Ming-Fuh Chuang, Shu-Li Hsu, Su-Yu Lai, and Hong-Ren Yang*

Abstract:

     The objectives of this study were to survey postharvest diseases of avocado in Taiwan, including stem-end rot, fruit spot and anthracnose, and to determine major pathogens of stem-end rot and fruit spot rot of this crop. During 2008–2009, a total of 731 avocado fruits was collected from 18 orchards in the major avocado production areas of Chiayi, Yujing, Madou, Jiali and Guanshan and used for isolation of fungal pathogens. Results showed that the incidences of stem-end rot, fruit spot, and anthracnose was 32.9, 31.3, and 46.2%, respectively, in 2008 and 19.3, 16.3, and 29.3%, respectively, in 2009. All fungi isolated from fruit samples showing symptoms of stem-end rot and fruit spot rot were identified as Botryosphaeria species, including Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Neofusicoccum parvum, Neofusicoccum mangiferae, and Fusicoccum aesculi, based on morphological characteristics and ITS sequences. Among these four species, L. theobromae was identified as the major pathogen of stem-end rot disease of avocado in Taiwan.

Key words:Avocado, Persea americana, Post-harvest diseases, Stem-end rot, Fruit spot rot, Botryosphaeria spp., Lasiodiplodia theobromae

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