Title : First report of colletotrichum and pestalotioid fungi on mango in Zambia: Implications for disease management and regional food security
Abstract:
Mango (Mangifera indica), a cornerstone of agro-industrial development and a vital source of nutrition in Zambia, faces escalating threats from fungal pathogens that jeopardize food security and rural livelihoods. Despite its economic and nutritional importance, the epidemiology and pathogenic diversity of fungal diseases affecting mango remain largely uncharacterized in Zambia. In this study, symptomatic mango trees in Lusaka Province, exhibiting foliar and fruit lesions indicative of fungal infections, were systematically surveyed during the 2023 and 2024 farming seasons. Microscopic and molecular analyses identified two Colletotrichum species and one pestalotioid fungus from infected samples, representing the first report of these pathogens on mango in Zambia. Pathogenicity assays, including detached leaf and in-field tests, confirmed their virulence across six local mango cultivars, underscoring their significant threat to mango production. Given the increasing vulnerability of smallholder farmers to plant disease outbreaks, these findings highlight an urgent need for integrated disease management strategies to mitigate yield losses and safeguard food security. Moreover, the emergence of these fungal pathogens in Zambia raises concerns of potential transboundary spread, warranting heightened international surveillance and intervention. Addressing these challenges through rigorous pathogen monitoring and sustainable control strategies is imperative to support the resilience of mango-based agricultural systems in developing countries. This study provides crucial baseline data to inform policy frameworks, inspire environmentally sustainable management practices, and foster international collaborations aimed at curbing emerging phytosanitary threats to global food security.
