Characterization of pink disease isolates, Erythricium salmonicolor, from cocoa and in vitro management of the disease
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25081/jpc.2026.v54.i1.9960Abstract
Pink disease, caused by Erythricium salmonicolor, affects cocoa production in Ghana. This study aimed to characterize E. salmonicolor isolates from five cocoa-growing communities in Ghana and evaluate disease management strategies in vitro in vitro. The isolates were evaluated using morphological and molecular (ITS-PCR) identification, growth profiling across eleven media under different temperatures (25-35 °C) and light regimes, vegetative compatibility assays, pathogenicity tests, and in vitro fungicide sensitivity. Isolates exhibited variations in growth, texture, and pigmentation, with three color groups. All isolates produced hyaline hyphae with clamp connections. ITS-PCR produced 750-800 bp fragments. Maximum growth occurred on PDA and MEA at 28 °C. Light was essential for pink pigmentation. Vegetative compatibility revealed both compatible and incompatible reactions. Three isolates infected unwounded cocoa seedlings. Ridomil Gold and Cabrio Duo achieved 100% inhibition of all isolates at all concentrations, while Banjo Forte was least effective. Diverse E. salmonicolor strains exist in Ghana. Cabrio Duo offers an effective non-copper fungicide alternative.
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