Mango malformation disease and the associated fusarium species

Phytopathology
|October 24, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Mango malformation disease (MMD) is caused by several Fusarium species, with Fusarium mangiferae identified as a key pathogen. Further research is needed to fully understand the morphology, pathogenicity, and toxigenicity of these fungi.

Area of Science:

  • Plant Pathology
  • Mycology
  • Agricultural Science

Background:

  • Mango malformation disease (MMD) is a significant global issue affecting mango production.
  • First reported in India in 1891, MMD has spread across continents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the fungal species associated with Mango malformation disease.
  • To highlight the current understanding and future research needs for MMD pathogens.

Main Methods:

  • Review of historical records and scientific literature on MMD.
  • Analysis of taxonomic classifications based on DNA sequencing.
  • Summary of pathogenicity studies and Koch's postulates.

Main Results:

  • Fusarium subglutinans was initially identified as the causal agent of MMD.
  • Fusarium mangiferae was established as a distinct species in 2002, including MMD-causing strains.
  • Other Fusarium species, including F. sterilihyphosum and F. proliferatum, have also been linked to MMD.

Conclusions:

  • Several Fusarium species are associated with MMD, with F. mangiferae being a prominent one.
  • Koch's postulates are yet to be completed for all identified MMD-associated fungi.
  • Future research should focus on gene sequencing, morphology, sexual compatibility, pathogenicity, and toxigenicity of these Fusarium taxa.

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota01:26

Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota

Basidiomycota is a diverse phylum of fungi that includes ecologically significant decomposers such as white rot fungi, symbionts like mycorrhizal fungi, plant pathogens such as rusts and smuts, and edible species like Agaricus bisporus (the common button mushroom). These fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, symbiotic relationships, and even human health. Their defining feature is the basidium, a microscopic club-shaped structure responsible for producing basidiospores.Fruiting Bodies...
Microbe-Plant Interactions01:09

Microbe-Plant Interactions

Microbe-plant interactions represent a dynamic spectrum of associations shaped by intricate chemical signaling. These interactions can be neutral, beneficial, or detrimental, and profoundly influence plant physiology, growth, and ecosystem function. The plant microbiome, comprising bacteria, fungi, archaea, protists, and viruses, plays a pivotal role in mediating these effects through surface colonization, internal colonization, or systemic symbiosis.Mutualistic associations, particularly with...
Malaria01:29

Malaria

Malaria pathogenesis in humans reflects a delicate interplay between parasite biology and host response. Clinical illness reflects a host’s immune response to the parasite’s asexual replication cycle, which is often asymptomatic in individuals with partial immunity. From the parasite's perspective, transmission between mosquito and human with minimal host pathology is evolutionarily advantageous. Among the six Plasmodium species infecting humans, P. falciparum and P. vivax dominate in global...