Diplodia natalensis Pole Evans, the causal agent of citrus gummosis disease in Ghana

Abstract

Isolations were made from the barks of gummosis-infected citrus trees from orchards of the University of Ghana Agricultural Research Station at Kade. The isolation media used were 1.5 per cent water agar, 1.5 per cent water agar + nystatin, and 1.5 per cent water agar + benomyl. Four isolates including Diplodia natalensis Pole Evans, Fusarium solani Appel + Wr., and two other identified fungi were obtained. The two fungi were unidentified on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). When the isolates were tested for pathogenicity, only D. natalensis induced the disease symptoms in the inoculated 18-month-old rough lemon seedlings which were incubated after inoculation in a screenhouse of 30-37 oC and 55-75 percent relative humidity. This result strongly suggests that D. natalensis is one of the pathogens causing citrus gummosis disease in Ghana.



Ghana Jnl.agric. Sci Vol.32(1), 1999: 11-18