Affiliation:
1. Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Belgrade, Serbia
2. Institute of Soil Science, Belgrade, Serbia
Abstract
Lemon fruits are an important source of vitamin C, potassium, folate,
carotenoids, polyphenols, coumarins and terpenes. These lemon compounds have
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which have beneficial effects
on human health. This research aimed to elucidate the etiology of blue and
green molds detected on lemon fruits in Serbia. Using integrative
identification approach, the obtained isolates were characterized from
morphological, physiological, molecular, phylogenetic and pathological
aspects. Colony growth and morphology were examined on Czapek yeast
autolysate agar (CYA), Malt extract agar (MEA) and Creatine sucrose agar
(CREA), and on CYA at two additional incubation temperatures (5 and 37 ?C).
For molecular identification, ITS and partial ?-tubulin (BenA) genes were
sequenced. Phylogenetic relationships were investigated using
maximum-likelihood method. A pathogenicity test was carried out and the
possible difference in pathogenicity among isolates was assessed with
analysis of variance (ANOVA) and subsequent Tukey?s test. Four species were
identified: Penicillium expansum, Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium
polonicum and Talaromyces rugulosus. All four species proved to be
pathogenic on lemon fruits, producing symptoms similar to those observed on
naturally infected fruits. The results of this study are the first records
of the beforementioned Penicillium/ Talaromyces species as postharvest
pathogens on lemon fruits in Serbia and the first world report of T.
rugulosus as phytopathogenic on the same host.
Funder
Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia
Publisher
National Library of Serbia
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