Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026
Colletotrichum fioriniae Development in Water and Chloroform-based Blueberry and Cranberry Floral Extracts
Published on: April 12, 2019
Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Pomegranate Fruit Rot Pathogen, Chaetomella raphigera, and its
Milind Gajbhiye1, Shivaji Sathe2, Vikas Shinde1
1Department of Microbiology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007 India.
Abstract:
A new fungal pathogen was isolated from rotten pomegranates collected from the orchards of different parts of Maharashtra. The pathogen was morphologically identified as Chaetomella raphigera followed by sequencing of ITS and D1/D2 hypervariable region of LSU (28S) of rRNA gene. The pathogen produced pectinase, cellulase, xylanase and protease in liquid medium at a concentration of 71, 13.8, 54.3 and 7 U/ml respectively. Enzyme activity was also determined during pathogenesis in the tissues artificially infected by C. raphigera. Xylanase activity was maximum (25.1 U/g) followed by pectinase (19.2 U/g) and cellulase (1.5 U/g), whereas, protease activity was unnoticed. There was significant correlation (P < 0.05) between disease rating scale and pectinase, xylanase and cellulase activity in infected tissues. This indicates the simultaneous production of hydrolytic enzymes that aids in necrosis of fruit tissues. The elevated levels of these enzymes in infected tissues as compared with control suggest their possible role in pathogenesis. Thus, pectinase, cellulase and xylanase produced by C. raphigera acts as major virulence factors in the development of fruit rot in pomegranates. This is a first report of fungal fruit rot caused by C. raphigera in pomegranate.
Insights
A novel fungal pathogen, Chaetomella raphigera, was identified as the cause of pomegranate fruit rot in Maharashtra. This fungus produces pectinase, cellulase, and xylanase, which are key virulence factors in disease development.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Mycology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a valuable fruit crop susceptible to various diseases.
- Fungal fruit rots can significantly impact pomegranate yield and quality.
- Identification and characterization of novel pathogens are crucial for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and identify a new fungal pathogen causing fruit rot in pomegranates.
- To investigate the enzymatic activities of the identified pathogen.
- To determine the role of these enzymes in the pathogenesis of pomegranate fruit rot.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and morphological identification of the fungal pathogen from infected pomegranates.
- Molecular identification using sequencing of the ITS and D1/D2 hypervariable region of the LSU (28S) rRNA gene.
- Enzyme assays (pectinase, cellulase, xylanase, protease) in liquid culture and infected fruit tissues.
- Correlation analysis between disease severity and enzyme activity.
Main Results:
- A new fungal pathogen, identified as Chaetomella raphigera, was isolated from rotten pomegranates.
- C. raphigera produced significant levels of pectinase, cellulase, and xylanase in vitro.
- Elevated levels of pectinase, cellulase, and xylanase were detected in infected pomegranate tissues, correlating with disease severity.
- Protease activity was not detected during pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Chaetomella raphigera is identified as a causal agent of fungal fruit rot in pomegranates.
- Pectinase, cellulase, and xylanase are identified as major virulence factors contributing to pomegranate fruit rot.
- This study represents the first report of fruit rot in pomegranates caused by C. raphigera.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:09Microbe-Plant Interactions
01:29Bacterial Phylum Chlamydiae