Lasiodiplodiaspecies associated with mango (Mangifera indicaL.) decline in Burkina Faso and influence of climatic factors on the disease distribution

Abstract

AbstractDieback or decline caused byLasiodiplodiaspp. is a major disease of mango trees (Mangifera indicaL.). The main objectives of this study were to identifyLasiodiplodiaspecies associated with mango decline in Burkina Faso, and to asses the climatic and edaphic factors affecting the geographic distribution of the disease in the country. The genetic diversity of 47Lasiodiplodiaisolates was studied based on sequence data of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (tef1-a) and the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS). Phylogeny analyses grouped the isolates from Burkina Faso with 6 differentLasiodiplodiaspecies, includingL. euphorbicolathat accounted for 36 of the 47 isolates.Lasiodiplodiaisolates tested on mango seedlings induced the typical dieback symptoms. Disease incidence and severity were generally higher in the drier and warmer regions (eastern) of the country. This study provides the required information to establish control strategies against mango decline in Burkina Faso.