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Farming & Management

An integrated study of cultural and morphological features of diverse Lasiodiplodia theobromae isolates


DOI: 10.31830/2456-8724.2025.FM-173    | Article Id: FM-173 | Page : 141-149
Citation :- An integrated study of cultural and morphological features of diverse Lasiodiplodia theobromae isolates. Farm. Manage. 10: 141-149
MANISHA H. DABHI, CHIRAGKUMAR M. BHALIYA, H. A. SHEKHADA AND KALPANA GAMBHIR manishadabhi1444@gmail.com
Address : Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh-362001, Gujarat, India
Submitted Date : 14-09-2025
Accepted Date : 9-11-2025
Online Published:

Abstract

Stem end rot, caused by the fungal pathogen Lasiodiplodia theobromae, is one of the most economically significant post-harvest diseases affecting mangoes globally. Seventy isolates of L. theobromae were collected from mango samples exhibiting stem end rot symptoms to characterize the cultural and morphological diversity. Samples were sourced from various orchards, wholesale and retail markets across the Junagadh and Gir Somnath districts of Gujarat during the 2024 mango season. All the isolates showed significant variations in their characteristics. A majority of the isolates (65 out of 70) exhibited a fast growth rate, with a mean colony diameter exceeding 85 mm. Four isolates showed a medium growth rate, while only one isolate (LT 17) displayed a slow growth rate of 69.83 mm. Colonies displayed a wide range of colours (cottony white and greyish white to grey, dark grey, black) and textures (aerial-woolly, fluffy, velvety, flate) with margins observed as either regular smooth/flat or irregular rough. Pigmentation also differed, appearing as black, dark black, pink or absent. Sporulation levels varied significantly, categorized into excellent, good, moderate, poor and no sporulations. Furthermore, the conidial dimensions showed considerable diversity, with lengths ranging from 14.5 to 35 μm and widths from 7 to 17 μm. Conidial shapes were observed as oval, subovoid to ellipsoid and ellipsoid. Immature conidia were consistently hyaline and single-celled, maturing into dark brown, two-celled structures with a single septum. These findings confirm a high level of diversity within the L. theobromae population in the study area, which has implications for disease management.

Keywords

Cultural characteristics Lasiodiplodia theobromae mango morphological diversity stem end rot.

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