Morphological And Molecular Characterization Of Colletotrichum Species Isolated From Anthracnose Of Red-Fleshed Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus Polyrhizus)
Loading...
Date
2014-01
Authors
Iskandar Vijaya, Suzianti
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Red-fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) is regarded as a health fruit
crop and can bring high economic returns to Malaysia. The cultivation areas of this
crop is increasing yearly and is now widely cultivated in Malaysia. However, H.
polyrhizus is vulnerable towards multiple diseases caused by fungi, bacteria and
virus, which is the major problem for H. polyrhizus cultivation in Malaysia. One of
the important diseases caused by fungi infecting H. polyrhizus is anthracnose caused
by Colletotrichum species. Thus, the main objectives of this study were to isolate,
identify and characterize the Colletotrichum species associated with anthracnose of
H. polyrhizus. The analyses were based on morphological characteristics, DNA
sequencing of Internal Transcribed Spacer regions (ITS+5.8S) and β-tubulin gene,
the genetic variation among the Colletotrichum isolates using phylogenetic analysis
of ITS+5.8S and β-tubulin sequences and pathogenicity test. A total of 73 isolates of
Colletotrichum were recovered from diseased H. polyrhizus stems from six states
(Johor, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Pulau Pinang and Selangor) in Peninsular
Malaysia. Based on morphological characteristics, 63 isolates were identified as C.
gloeosporioides and 10 isolates were identified as C. truncatum. Basic Local
Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) similarity search of ITS+5.8S and ß-tubulin
sequences confirmed the identity of morphologically identified C. gloeosporioides
(63 isolates) and C. truncatum (10 isolates). Based on phylogenetic analysis, C.
gloeosporioides and C. truncatum isolates were divided into two separate groups.
Description
Keywords
Colletotrichum Species , Red-Fleshed Dragon Fruit