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Nigrospora sphaerica causing Leaf Blight Disease of Cacao in the Philippines

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Abstract

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is one of the world’s most important crops grown in the Philippines and is affected by many fungal diseases. This study was conducted to identify apparent fungal infection attacking cacao clones and determine the disease severity as affected by prevailing weather conditions at the University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato, Philippines. Disease symptoms observed were grayish to brown, irregular lesions that turn dark brown to black. Morpho-cultural and molecular characterization identified the causal pathogen as Nigrospora sphaerica and pathogenicity was confirmed through Koch’s postulates. This is the first report of N. sphaerica causing cacao leaf blight in the Philippines. Highest severity of infection was observed in UF 18, while the lowest was in W10 clones. The degree of infection was influenced by temperature and rainfall with respective R2 values of 0.12–0.37 and 0.14–0.25. The warm and wet environment favors disease infection on cacao clones.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the funding support granted by the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) through the Graduate Research and Education Assistantship for Technology (GREAT) scholarship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Genetic Resources and Improvement Division, Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI), ZAMPIARC Compound, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines

    J. D. Villanueva

  2. Division of Plant Pathology, Department of Crop Protection, College of Agriculture, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato, Philippines

    Tamie C. Solpot & N. G. Tangonan

  3. University of Southern Mindanao Agricultural Research and Development Center, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato, Philippines

    J. D. Villanueva, Tamie C. Solpot & N. G. Tangonan

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  1. J. D. Villanueva
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  2. Tamie C. Solpot
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  3. N. G. Tangonan
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Correspondence to Tamie C. Solpot.

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Villanueva, J.D., Solpot, T.C. & Tangonan, N.G. Nigrospora sphaerica causing Leaf Blight Disease of Cacao in the Philippines. Indian Phytopathology 76, 915–922 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42360-023-00653-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42360-023-00653-6

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