DNA based characterization ofCeratocystis fimbriataisolates associated with mango decline in Oman

Abstract

A serious mango decline disease has recently been reported from the Sultanate of Oman. Based on morphological characteristics, the pathogen responsible for the disease was previously identified as Ceratocystis fimbriata. C. fimbriata is one of the most important pathogens of mango in Brazil and its appearance in Oman is of great concern. Recent phylogenetic studies have shown that C. fimbriata most likely represents a species complex. The aim of this study was to confirm the identity of the mango pathogen in Oman based on DNA sequences. Sequence data were obtained for the internal transcribed spacer 1 and 2 regions and the 5.8S rRNA gene regions and these were compared with sequence data of C. fimbriata from several hosts and geographic areas. The isolates from Oman where shown to represent C. fimbriata sensu lato and also to be most closely related to an isolate from mango in Brazil. This provides some evidence that the mango pathogen in Oman might have originated in Brazil.