Pathogenicity of penicillium funiculosum strains from pineapple fruit blemishes

W. H. Lim

Abstract

Six strains of penicillium funiculosum and one of Fusarium moniliforme isolated from pineapple fruit blemishes were evaluated for their pathogenicity on pineapple fruit (cv. Masmerah) and for the nature of the symptoms expressed. Different types of fruit blemishes were found to be caused by different strains. Leathery pocket was caused by two strains of P. funiculosum with non-pigmented reverse( S1 and S5). Fruitlet core rot (or black eye) was caused by a strain with pigmented reverse( 56) while cork spot was caused by a reverse pigmented, coremia producing strain,S4. Fusarium moniliforme could only Induce very limited fruitlet core rot symptoms. Two other pigmented strains S2 and S3' were non-pathogenic. The different strains were found to differ in their sites of infection.

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