Pre and postharvest assessment of mango anthracnose incidence and severity in the north of Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Mango is one of the most economically important fruit crop in the north of Côte d’Ivoire. However, its production and productivity are limited by various biotic and abiotic factors. Amongst fungal disease, mango anthracnose is recorded to be the most important disease in the northern districts. This study assessed the incidence and severity of pre- and post-harvest anthracnose to compare the level of orchard infestation in the seven mango producing districts in the north of Côte d’Ivoire. Anthracnose disease incidence and severity varied from locality to locality both in dry and rainy season. Disease intensity was higher in rainy season than dry season. In dry and rainy seasons, the highest disease incidence (19.08% and 32.25%) was recorded in Bèrèdougou and the least in Zèguèrè. Pre and post-harvest anthracnose correlated significantly indicating that infection initiated in field and remained latent until fruits repining. The disease was also more severe on fruits than leaves. On fruits disease incidence and severity were higher in Dianra village (90% and 100%) and Bèrèdougou (36% and 40%). The lowest disease incidence (7.5%) and severity (1.5%) on fruits were observed in Zèguèrè. This study showed that anthracnose disease is one the most important threat to production and marketing of fresh mango fruits in the north of Côte d’Ivoire.

Keywords: Anthracnose, incidence, severity, mango, symptoms.