Is the vanilla (Vanilla planifolia A.) stem rot disease caused by Fusarium spp and/or Phythoptora spp?: A case in a traditional vanilla growing system in Papantla, Mexico
Bautista-Santiago Juan1, García-Espinosa Roberto2, Ramos-Prado José María1, José Trinidad Vázquez-González1, and Luna-Rodríguez Mauricio3
1. Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales-Universidad Veracruzana, México
2. Colegio de Postgraduados, México
3. Laboratorio de Alta Tecnología de Xalapa-Universidad Veracruzana
Summary
One of the main vanilla field problems worldwide is the stem rot disease, which is attributed to Fusarium spp and/or Phytoptora spp. Traditional vanilla growing systems in México, in secondary forests and orange orchards, present less incidence of the disease, than more modern intensive systems. Nevertheless, there are not documented diagnostic studies, with the isolation and verification of etiological agents, which may help to avoid and/or control de impact and spread of this disease. Hence, we addressed the following questions, ¿which is the extent and intensity of stem rot disease in a traditional vanilla growing system?, ¿which are the etiological agents?, and ¿what are the environmental factors involved in the disease?. The incidence of the disease is high, 47% of the vines are affected, but the intensity and danger is low, less than 5% of the stem length is affected and is more or less stable. Selective media for Phythoptora spp., was used in rotten tissue with negative results, instead four different types of Fusarium spp. were obtained. We isolate and identified two of them F. oxisporum y F. solani, which were tested on healthy vines with negative results. Additionally two isolated clones of Phythoptora, P. Cinamomi and P. Capsisi were also were tested on healthy vines with the same negative results. Our results indicate that stem rot in this vanilla system may include other biological and environmental factors during infection period, which need to be determined in order to prevent and control the disease.