Ceratocystis wilt of mango

The disease is caused by the fungus Ceratocystis manginecans, a highly destructive ascomycete. It acts as a systemic vascular pathogen that colonizes the xylem of the host plant. By producing fungal biomass and inducing host defensive reactions, it blocks the water-conducting vessels, eventually leading to the rapid wilting and mortality of the tree.

While the primary economic impact is observed in mango (Mangifera indica), the pathogen has a wide host range. It affects numerous woody species, most notably Acacia mangium and various species of Eucalyptus and pomegranate. This polyphagous nature increases the ecological risk, as the fungus can survive and spread across diverse forestry and orchard environments.

Visible symptoms typically begin as yellowing and wilting of the foliage, which can start on one branch and quickly involve the entire canopy. Underneath the bark of infected trees, necrotic lesions and brown to black streaks are commonly found in the wood. Gummosis, or the oozing of sap from the trunk, is a hallmark defensive symptom often seen as the tree attempts to contain the pathogen.

Environmental conditions characterized by high humidity and warm temperatures significantly accelerate the development of the fungus. The pathogen is disseminated via contaminated pruning tools, insect vectors such as bark beetles, and movement of infected wood or soil. Wounds on the trunks caused by agricultural practices or insect feeding serve as primary entry points for spores.

Managing the spread of this disease requires an integrated approach. Effective protective measures include:

• Mandatory disinfection of all pruning tools with suitable fungicides or alcohol between trees.
• Systematic monitoring for early symptoms to facilitate prompt removal of infected material.
• Elimination and safe destruction of dying or dead trees to reduce inoculum pressure.
• Implementing strict quarantine protocols on the movement of plant material.
• Monitoring and controlling insect populations that damage bark, which act as vectors.