Morphological and molecular characterisation of Colletotrichum species associated with mango anthracnose in the konkan region

Mango anthracnose, primarily caused by Colletotrichum species, ranks among the most economically damaging postharvest diseases affecting mango (Mangifera indica L.), resulting in significant fruit losses in tropical and subtropical areas This research examined the morphological and molecular diversity of Colletotrichum isolates linked to anthracnose-affected mango fruits in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, India. A total of forty fungal isolates were obtained from symptomatic fruit tissues gathered from three different agro-climatic zones. Morphological analysis indicated considerable variability in colony characteristics, with conidial forms varying from cylindrical to fusiform shapes. Molecular identification through internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing and BLASTn analysis verified the presence of C. gloeosporioides, C. siamense, and C. acutatum as the dominant species, alongside co-associated genera such as Lasiodiplodia, Nigrospora, and Alternaria. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated distinct clustering of Colletotrichum isolates that aligned with reference sequences found in GenBank. The combination of morphological and molecular characterization yielded a strong taxonomic resolution and elucidated the species diversity responsible for mango anthracnose in the region. This study serves as the first thorough account of Colletotrichum diversity within the Konkan mango ecosystem and enhances the understanding of pathogen population structure, facilitating the development of targeted management strategies for sustainable mango cultivation.