Mycobiota associated with anthracnose and dieback symptoms on Theobroma cacao L. in Mérida State, Venezuela

Abstract

ABSTRACT Diverse fungi collected from symptomatic fruit, stem and branch tissues of Theobroma cacao in five T. cacao-producing localities or municipalities of Mérida State, Venezuela, were identified using both morphological methods and sequencing of multiple loci (ITS, LSU, SSU, TEF1, BTUB, RPB2). Cophinforma atrovirens, Lasiodiplodia brasiliensis and Hypoxylon investiens are reported for the first time on T. cacao in Venezuela. Fungi found in association with fruit anthracnose included Cophinforma atrovirens, Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum, whereas species associated with dieback or sudden death symptoms include Cophinforma atrovirens, L. theobromae, L. brasiliensis and H. investiens. All of the aforementioned fungi are considered putative pathogens of T. cacao, which warrant further pathogenicity tests.