Lasiodiplodia species associated with mango (Mangifera indica L.) decline in Burkina Faso and influence of climatic factors on the disease distribution

Dieback or decline caused by Lasiodiplodia spp. is a major disease of mango trees (Mangifera indica L.). The main objectives of this study were to identify Lasiodiplodia species associated with mango decline in Burkina Faso, and to asses the climatic and edaphic factors affecting the geographic distribution of the disease in the country. The genetic diversity of 47 Lasiodiplodia isolates was studied based on sequence data of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (tef1-a) and the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS). Phylogeny analyses grouped the isolates from Burkina Faso with 6 different Lasiodiplodia species, including L. euphorbicola that accounted for 36 of the 47 isolates. Lasiodiplodia isolates tested on mango seedlings induced the typical dieback symptoms. Disease incidence and severity were generally higher in the drier and warmer regions (eastern) of the country. This study provides the required information to establish control strategies against mango decline in Burkina Faso.