ABSTRACT Banana is an important fruit crop in many developing countries, contributing to food security and income generation. Crown rot is one of the most serious postharvest diseases affecting banana quality and shelf life and is caused by a complex of fungal pathogens. This study aimed to identify the fungi associated with banana crown rot and to evaluate their pathogenicity. Fungal isolates were identified using molecular methods and phylogenetic analyses based on specific molecular markers. Fourteen fungal species were detected: Fusarium sulawesiense , F. pernambucanum , F. mianyangense , F. verticillioides , F. proliferatum , Neocosmospora ipomoeae , Colletotrichum siamense , Lasiodiplodia theobromae , Nigrospora sphaerica , Neopestalotiopsis cubana , Curvularia lunata , Penicillium citrinum , Aspergillus tamarii and A. niger . Pathogenicity tests using mycelial plugs and conidial suspensions demonstrated that both single and dual‐species inoculations produced crown rot symptoms on wounded banana crowns. Disease severity varied considerably among species. L. theobromae PH83 was the most virulent isolate, followed by isolates of F. sulawesiense , F. mianyangense , F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum . Dual‐species inoculations of L. theobromae combined with F. sulawesiense or F. verticillioides resulted in the most severe crown rot symptoms. These findings demonstrated that banana crown rot is caused by a complex of fungal pathogens with varying pathogenic potential, highlighting the importance of understanding pathogen interactions for effective disease management.
Inuwa et al. (Sun,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: