First report of pre-harvest amla fruit rots disease caused by Pestalotiopsis sp. in Bangladesh

Fruit rot disease of Amla (Phyllanthus emblica L.) reduces the quality of the fruits and causes economic loss. An investigation was conducted to find out pre-harvest fruit rot fungal pathogen associated with Amla fruits. The fungal pathogen was isolated using tissue planting method. Both morphological and molecular characterization confirmed the pathogen identity as Pestalotiopsis sp. Result indicated that Pestalotiopsis sp. showed the highest radial mycelial growth on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. The utmost vegetative growth of the identified fungus was recorded at 25℃ on PDA medium, however, a range of temperature may be suitable for the fungal growth. Sodium benzoate and vinegar were tested against the fungus for food preservative. Sodium benzoate at 100mM concentration exhibited efficiency to inhibit the radial growth of the fungus. Chemical food preservatives-sodium benzoate could be used to control the growth of Pestalotiopsis sp., associated with Amla fruit rot disease. To the best of our search, quite a few attempts have been taken to investigate the fruit rot disease of Amla. Therefore, fruit rot disease caused by Pestalotiopsis sp., is the first record in Bangladesh. Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 10(1 & 2): 71-81, 2021 (June & December)