Parasitological exploration on vanilla from Mexico

Hernandez Alfonsina, Judith1

Silva Rojas, Hilda2

Nava Díaz, Cristian3

1. Instituto de fitosanidad. Colegio de Postgraduados. Kilometro 36.4 Carretera Mexico-Texcoco. Montecillo, Mexico: 56230. 2. Instituto de Recursos Genéticos y Productividad. Colegio de Postgraduados. Kilómetro 36.4 Carretera México-Texcoco. Montecillo, México: 56230. 3. Instituto de fitosanidad. Colegio de Postgraduados. Kilometro 36.4 Carretera Mexico-Texcoco. Montecillo, Mexico: 56230.

World wide are produced 8667 tonnes of vanilla, being Indonesia, Madagascar, China and Mexico the main producers. Mexico produces around 637 tonnes per year. Veracruz state is the most important producer. In Veracruz state, vanilla production may be limited by several factors, among them, parasitological problems are the most important ones. Recently, vanilla growers has been reported that plants and fruits are being affected by insects and fungi, reducing production in xxx %. Our research was focused on identification of the most common insects and fungi that affect vanilla production in Veracruz state. Plant samples were carefully examined for insect damage. Insects were stored in alcohol 70% for identification. Small pieces of plant tissue that shows symptoms of biotic diseases were disinfected by immersion in hypochlorite solution for 2 minutes and placed on potato dextrose media. Isolated fungi was identified by using keys according with the taxonomic group and by ITS comparison. By now, we have identified Penicillum associated to fruit rot and Fusarium sp on wilted plants.

Silva Rojas, Hilda is a professor at the Postgraduate College. She got her Ph.D. at the same institution in 1999. Hilda has wide experience on molecular and morphological identification of plant pathogens and management.