Mango research

Andalusia has been betting on the cultivation of subtropics for more than 50 years and has become an international benchmark in the management of these fruits. The large investment made by farmers both in production and in opening new markets can be seriously damaged by post-harvest diseases, which affect the fruits during storage and transport. The transfer activity proposed in this report focuses the study on postharvest fungal diseases of mango and avocado and their control through biological and environmentally sustainable strategies, and for this we have the important participation of farmers and the largest tropical cooperative in Spain. TROPS. This cooperative has more than 2,300 associated farmers and more than 36 years of experience in the sector. On the other hand, our research group at the University of Malaga has described the high control capacity of fungal and bacterial diseases of two strains of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. These two strains have been the object of interest to the multinational company Koppert Biological Systems, specialists in the formulation of biological products for disease control. Koppert B.S. has formulated a pre-commercial product that includes these bacterial strains that could be applicable in the biological control of postharvest diseases of mango and avocado. The transfer activity that concerns us has as main objectives:

1.- To know the causes of post-harvest diseases that affect mangoes and avocados, as well as to evaluate the control capacity of the Bacillus strains formulated.

2.- Adaptation and transfer of an action protocol against fungal infections during pre and post-harvest, through the application of environmentally sustainable products.

This project aims to continue to deepen the two most important phytosanitary problems of mango cultivation in Andalusia, apical necrosis and malformation, through a comprehensive study that aims primarily to provide practical solutions for the control and prevention of these diseases, which are potentially transferable to productive sectors. In addition, it aims to advance knowledge of basic aspects of the biology of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss), causal agent of the apical necrosis. In particular we will focus on the following specific objectives:

1. To advance the understanding of the etiology, epidemiology and control of apical necrosis of mango; and the biology, ecology and virulence of Pss.

1.1. Etiology and crop factors related to the new and more aggressive symptoms of NAM. Adjust the control measures available.

1.2. Genomic and functional approaches to characterize the biology, ecology and virulence of Pss strains associated with NAM approaches.

2. Deepen the etiology, epidemiology and control of mango malformation caused by Fusarium species in the Andalusian coast

We are conducting different research aims about mango malformation disease in Spain, with the support of this agreement with the major mango producers from the Axarquía. The specific objectives studied are:

1) Specific diagnosis of the etiological agent/s causing mango malformation in Spain, and assessment of the incidence of the disease in this mango growing area.

2) Epidemiology and diversity analysis of the pathogen populations in this area.

3) Design and evaluation of control and/or preventive strategies against mango malformation.

In this research project, the two most important phytosanitary problems of mango crops in Andalusia are studied, the apical necrosis and the malformation disease, through a comprehensive study that aims primarily to provide practical solutions for the control and prevention of these diseases. Another relevant aim is to deepen basic aspects of the biology of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, the causal agent of apical necrosis. Therefore, we combine in this project, basic research to improve the scientific and technical knowledge, and the innovation and development of applied aspects potentially transferable to growers. This project addresses four specific objectives:

1) Epidemiology and control of apical necrosis of mango.

2) Aetiology and epidemiology of mango malformation disease.

3) Design of preventive strategies against apical necrosis and malformation.

4) Genetic and molecular bases of mangotoxin production and virulence of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae.