Differentiation of two botryosphaeriaceae species isolated from declining mango trees in Ghana

Lasiodiplodia theobromae is the only pathogen reported to cause mango tree decline disease in Ghana. In this study, several Botryosphaeriaceae isolates were obtained from mango tree decline disease symptoms and were identified using both phenotypic and genotypic characteristics and inoculation studies. The methods employed differentiated the isolates into two species, Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Neofussicoccum parvum. L. theobromae sporulated freely on media while N. parvum did not. Also, the species specific primer, Lt347-F/Lt347-R identified only L. theobromae while in the phylogenetic studies, L. theobromae and N. parvum clustered in different clades. L. theobromae caused dieback symptoms on inoculated mango seedlings while N. parvum did not. However, both species caused massive rot symptoms on inoculated fruits. L. theobromae was therefore confirmed as the causal agent of the tree decline disease in Ghana while N. parvum was reported for the first time as a potential pathogen of mango fruits in the country.