Articles
Fungal complexes associated with postharvest superficial mould of pome fruit
Article number
1451_14
Pages
99 – 102
Language
English
Abstract
The presence of superficial mould on the pedicles and calyx sepals of pome fruits after controlled atmosphere storage poses a significant challenge in export markets, often leading to costly re-packaging or outright rejection of consignments.
This research aimed to identify the fungi associated with this condition and determine whether these fungi occur in complexes rather than individually.
Fungal samples were collected from symptomatic apple and pear fruits obtained from commercial packhouses in South Africa’s Western Cape Province.
Molecular techniques were employed to identify the fungi present.
Gene regions Alt-a1 and OPA1-3 were targeted for Alternaria species identification.
Notably, the OPA1-3 gene region, analysed with the enzyme ApaI, facilitated discrimination between A. arborescens and A. alternata/A. tenuissima. Additionally, gene regions TEF1 and RPB2 were utilized to identify other fungal genera.
PCR-RFLP analysis revealed that among 100 fungal isolates from apples, 31 were identified as A. arborescens and 27 as A. alternata/A. tenuissima, while among the 13 pear isolates, five were A. arborescens and eight were A. alternata/A. tenuissima. Furthermore, PCR targeting TEF1 and RPB2 amplification identified nine isolates as Cladosporium cladosporioides and nine as either Epicoccum nigrum or E. layuense. Importantly, these three genera were frequently co-isolated from the calyx and stem of the fruits.
Additionally, other fungal genera including Diplodia, Aureobasidium, and Fusarium were identified, albeit at lower frequencies.
In summary, various fungi were identified as the causative agents of stem and calyx mould on pome fruits stored under long-term controlled atmosphere conditions.
It is noteworthy that these fungi occur in complexes rather than individually.
Understanding these complexes and the epidemiology of the constituent members will be crucial in developing effective management strategies.
This research aimed to identify the fungi associated with this condition and determine whether these fungi occur in complexes rather than individually.
Fungal samples were collected from symptomatic apple and pear fruits obtained from commercial packhouses in South Africa’s Western Cape Province.
Molecular techniques were employed to identify the fungi present.
Gene regions Alt-a1 and OPA1-3 were targeted for Alternaria species identification.
Notably, the OPA1-3 gene region, analysed with the enzyme ApaI, facilitated discrimination between A. arborescens and A. alternata/A. tenuissima. Additionally, gene regions TEF1 and RPB2 were utilized to identify other fungal genera.
PCR-RFLP analysis revealed that among 100 fungal isolates from apples, 31 were identified as A. arborescens and 27 as A. alternata/A. tenuissima, while among the 13 pear isolates, five were A. arborescens and eight were A. alternata/A. tenuissima. Furthermore, PCR targeting TEF1 and RPB2 amplification identified nine isolates as Cladosporium cladosporioides and nine as either Epicoccum nigrum or E. layuense. Importantly, these three genera were frequently co-isolated from the calyx and stem of the fruits.
Additionally, other fungal genera including Diplodia, Aureobasidium, and Fusarium were identified, albeit at lower frequencies.
In summary, various fungi were identified as the causative agents of stem and calyx mould on pome fruits stored under long-term controlled atmosphere conditions.
It is noteworthy that these fungi occur in complexes rather than individually.
Understanding these complexes and the epidemiology of the constituent members will be crucial in developing effective management strategies.
Authors
I. Block, J.C. Meitz-Hopkins, C.L. Lennox
Keywords
fungal, stem mould, calyx mould, complexes, identification
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