First Molecular Characterization of Colletotrichum sp. and Fusarium sp. Isolated from Mangrove in Mexico and the Antagonist Effect of Trichoderma harzianum as an Effective Biocontrol Agent

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize potential fungal species affecting mangrove species in Mexico. The phytopathogens were identified based on morphological and molecular characteristics using internal transcribed spacer (ITS1/ITS4) primers then sequenced and compared with the other related sequences in GenBank (NCBI). Three fungal species were identified as <i>Colletotrichum queenslandicum</i> (Weir and Johnst, 2012) from black mangrove (<i>Avicennia germinans</i>); <i>Colletotrichum ti</i> (Weir and Johnst, 2012) from white mangrove (<i>Laguncularia racemosa</i>) and buttonwood mangrove (<i>Conocarpus erectus</i>); <i>Fusarium equiseti</i> (Corda) from red mangrove (<i>Rhizophora mangle</i>). In addition, <i>C. ti</i> and <i>F. equiseti</i> were identified from mango <i>Mangifera indica</i> L. sampled close by the mangrove area. This study provides first evidence of anthracnose on four mangrove species caused by <i>Colletotrichum</i> and <i>Fusarium</i> species in the “Términos” coastal lagoon in Campeche State southern Mexico. This is the first time that <i>C. queenslandicum</i> and <i>C. ti</i> are reported in Mexico. <i>F. equiseti</i> has not been reported affecting <i>M. indica</i> and <i>R. mangle</i> until the present work. Little is known regarding fungal diseases affecting mangroves in Mexico. These ecosystems are protected by Mexican laws and may be threatened by these pathogenic fungus. This is the first report of the effect of <i>Trichoderma harzianum</i> TRICHO-SIN as an effective biological control against of <i>Colletotrichum</i> and <i>Fusarium</i> species.