Characterization and Pathogenic Potential of Endophytic Fusarium Species Isolated from Mango (Mangifera indica L.)

This study investigated the isolation, characterization, and pathogenic potential of endophytic Fusarium species recovered from healthy mango pedicels, stems, and leaves. Based on combined TEF1-α and RPB2 phylogenetic analyses, three species were identified: Fusarium guangdongense, F. multiceps, and F. hainanense. Pathogenicity assays conducted using one representative isolate per species on detached fruits of M. indica (cultivated mango) and M. laurina (wild mango) revealed low to mild virulence, as indicated by limited lesion development. The tested isolates of F. hainanense and F. multiceps induced necrotic lesions on both wounded and non-wounded fruits of M. indica and M. laurina. In contrast, the tested F. guangdongense isolate induced lesions on both wounded and non-wounded M. indica fruits but only on wounded M. laurina fruits. Although sampling was conducted across five states in Malaysia, Fusarium isolates were recovered from only two mango trees, and pathogenicity was evaluated using one isolate per species. Therefore, the findings provide preliminary evidence of the pathogenic potential of these mango-associated endophytic Fusarium isolates under artificial inoculation conditions but should not be generalized to other isolates or natural disease development.