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Mango malformation (Fusarium mangiferae) Photo: Liu F, Wu J-b, Zhan R-l and Ou X-c (Key Laboratory of Tropical Fruit Biology, Ch... · CC BY 4.0 · source ↗

Mango malformation (Fusarium mangiferae)

Mango malformation is a chronic, low-grade but cumulatively damaging disease of mango caused principally by Fusarium mangiferae Britz, Wingfield & Marasas, with secondary roles for F. sterilihyphosum and F. mexicanum. It produces two distinct expressions — vegetative malformation on young grafts and seedlings, and floral malformation on bearing trees. ICAR-CISH Lucknow lists it as one of the principal long-term disease constraints of Indian mango production. It is endemic across the Indian mango belt, including the Chittoor and YSR Kadapa clusters, where its persistent low-level incidence steadily erodes orchard productivity.

Identification and symptoms

Vegetative malformation: nursery seedlings and young grafts produce short, stunted shoots with abnormally close internodes and a bunched-up rosette of small, narrow, leathery leaves at the apex. Affected shoots fail to elongate normally and the plant develops a witch's-broom appearance.

Floral malformation: panicles on bearing trees are dramatically transformed. Inflorescences become thick, fleshy, compact and densely branched, bearing a much-multiplied number of small, sterile flowers (often 3-5 times normal panicle weight). The malformed inflorescences fail to set fruit; if any fruit develops it falls early. The condition is locally called guchcha in north India.

Hosts and life cycle

F. mangiferae is host-specific to Mangifera indica. The fungus is systemic within the host and produces macroconidia and microconidia on infected tissues. The eriophyid mite Aceria mangiferae is implicated as a contributing co-factor, opening entry points for the fungus on developing buds. Pathogen survival is on infected bud tissue, and spread is principally through propagation of infected mother-plant material (budwood and seedlings). Long-distance spread of malformation between districts is overwhelmingly nursery-mediated.

Damage and economic impact

In affected orchards, ICAR-CISH and IIHR report 50-90% of panicles malformed and yield losses of 10-90% depending on cultivar susceptibility and management. Among major Indian cultivars, Amrapali, Mallika, Dasheri and Bombay Green are highly susceptible; Banganapalli and Totapuri are moderately susceptible; Neelum shows lower incidence. The disease shortens the productive life of an orchard and disproportionately affects nurseries.

Management

ICAR-CISH Lucknow and IIHR Bangalore recommend an integrated approach focused on nursery hygiene and bud removal:

  • Plant disease-free material: source budwood and saplings only from certified malformation-free mother blocks (ICAR-CISH, ICAR-IIHR). This is the single most important intervention.
  • Bud removal: in October-November (about 4 months before flowering), prune out all malformed shoots and panicles along with 15-20 cm of healthy tissue below the affected portion. Burn the prunings.
  • Chemical: 200 ppm naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) spray in October has been shown by ICAR-CISH to reduce floral malformation incidence; carbendazim 0.1% sprays during October-December reduce subsequent malformation severity. Acaricide (dicofol 18.5% EC at 2.5 ml/L) sprays on terminal buds suppress the eriophyid mite co-factor.
  • Sanitation: remove and burn affected branches; disinfect pruning tools between trees with a 1% sodium hypochlorite dip.
  • Cultivar choice: in fresh plantings on heavy malformation pressure, prefer Neelum (Mango Neelum), Banganapalli (Mango Banganapalli Beneshan) or Totapuri over highly susceptible cultivars.

See also: Mango Anthracnose Colletotrichum, Mango Powdery Mildew, Mango Hopper Amritodus Idioscopus, Mango Flowering Management, and the major mango variety entries.

Sources

  1. Mango malformation. ICAR-CISH Lucknow.
  2. Mango malformation disease. ICAR-IIHR Bangalore.