Poster: Biology & Disease Mgmt: Mycology
65-P
Host specificity of Colletotrichum sp. on tree tomato (Solanum betaceum) and mango (Mangifera indica) crops
S. RESTREPO (1), L. Cabrera-Villamizar (1), C. pardo (1), S. Rojas (1), P. Rojas (1), G. Danies (1), P. Jiménez (2) (1) Universidad de los Andes, Colombia; (2) Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Colombia
Colletotrichum species are one of the main problems in crop production in Colombia. Several research efforts have been devoted to characterize the populations of this fungus. However, the phylogenetic relationships among species within this genus are still uncertain. Colletotrichum species have been traditionally classified using morphological traits and based on their host, despite the fact that the host range of these species is still unclear. In Colombia, the phylogenetic relationships of Colletotrichum species have been determined using molecular markers as well as morphological and physiological characteristics. Preliminary results have suggested host specificity among the species assessed. However, this assays were conducted by directly damaging the plant tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate host-pathogen interactions among isolates collected from tree tomato and mango from the pre-penetrating up to the colonization stages of the pathogen. Isolates were thoroughly characterized molecularly and microscopically and were subsequently inoculated onto both hosts. Strains of C. gloeosporioides, C. asianum, C. theobromicola, and C. tamarilloi were inoculated on whole-plants and detached-leaves. Pathogenicity, latent period, aggressiveness, and sporulation were recorded to evaluate the fitness of each species on the different hosts. Preliminary results indicate the presence of host preferences among the different species of Colletotrichum assessed.