Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is the main cash crop in Côte d'Ivoire and the primary source of income for producers. However, recent studies have highlighted the harmful effects of pod diseases on local production and the existence of a group of pathogens (Lasiodiplodia spp. and Fusarium spp.) that require better characterization in order to reorient control efforts. The objective of this study was to perform morphological and molecular characterization of isolates of Lasiodiplodia spp. and Fusarium spp. isolated from cocoa pods affected by rot. Samples of infected pods and soil from cocoa plantations were collected from seven locations in the Agneby-Tiassa region. After isolation on 11% agar culture medium, the isolates were purified on pea and carrot agar culture medium. Macroscopic and microscopic observations were made on these isolates. After DNA extraction, PCR tests with ITS4 and ITS5 primers were performed for molecular identification of the isolates. The PCR products obtained were transferred to a facility for sequencing. It should be noted that macroscopic and microscopic observations showed that Lasiodiplodia spp. isolates are light gray or gray-black in color, with thick-walled septate conidia. Fusarium spp. isolates are whitish in color, with oval microconidia and curved macroconidia. PCR test results showed that the isolates from the southeastern region of Côte d'Ivoire are Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Fusarium solani. Sequencing showed that these isolates were 100% similar to the species in the gene bank. This study will help to better target the fight against cocoa pod rot in Côte d'Ivoire by implementing sustainable control strategies.
| Published in | Journal of Plant Sciences (Volume 13, Issue 6) |
| DOI | 10.11648/j.jps.20251306.13 |
| Page(s) | 218-227 |
| Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
| Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Pod Rot, Lasiodiplodia Theobromae, Fusarium Solani, Cocoa, Molecular Biology
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APA Style
Nahoua, K., Napkalo, S., Balakissa, F., Michel, Z., Daouda, K. (2025). Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Lasiodiplodia Spp. and Fusarium Spp. Isolated from Cocoa Pods in the Agneby-tiassa Region of Ivory Coast. Journal of Plant Sciences, 13(6), 218-227. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jps.20251306.13
ACS Style
Nahoua, K.; Napkalo, S.; Balakissa, F.; Michel, Z.; Daouda, K. Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Lasiodiplodia Spp. and Fusarium Spp. Isolated from Cocoa Pods in the Agneby-tiassa Region of Ivory Coast. J. Plant Sci. 2025, 13(6), 218-227. doi: 10.11648/j.jps.20251306.13
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Download@article{10.11648/j.jps.20251306.13,
author = {Kone Nahoua and Silue Napkalo and Fofana Balakissa and Zouzou Michel and Kone Daouda},
title = {Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Lasiodiplodia Spp. and Fusarium Spp. Isolated from Cocoa Pods in the Agneby-tiassa Region of Ivory Coast
},
journal = {Journal of Plant Sciences},
volume = {13},
number = {6},
pages = {218-227},
doi = {10.11648/j.jps.20251306.13},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jps.20251306.13},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jps.20251306.13},
abstract = {Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is the main cash crop in Côte d'Ivoire and the primary source of income for producers. However, recent studies have highlighted the harmful effects of pod diseases on local production and the existence of a group of pathogens (Lasiodiplodia spp. and Fusarium spp.) that require better characterization in order to reorient control efforts. The objective of this study was to perform morphological and molecular characterization of isolates of Lasiodiplodia spp. and Fusarium spp. isolated from cocoa pods affected by rot. Samples of infected pods and soil from cocoa plantations were collected from seven locations in the Agneby-Tiassa region. After isolation on 11% agar culture medium, the isolates were purified on pea and carrot agar culture medium. Macroscopic and microscopic observations were made on these isolates. After DNA extraction, PCR tests with ITS4 and ITS5 primers were performed for molecular identification of the isolates. The PCR products obtained were transferred to a facility for sequencing. It should be noted that macroscopic and microscopic observations showed that Lasiodiplodia spp. isolates are light gray or gray-black in color, with thick-walled septate conidia. Fusarium spp. isolates are whitish in color, with oval microconidia and curved macroconidia. PCR test results showed that the isolates from the southeastern region of Côte d'Ivoire are Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Fusarium solani. Sequencing showed that these isolates were 100% similar to the species in the gene bank. This study will help to better target the fight against cocoa pod rot in Côte d'Ivoire by implementing sustainable control strategies.
},
year = {2025}
}
TY - JOUR T1 - Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Lasiodiplodia Spp. and Fusarium Spp. Isolated from Cocoa Pods in the Agneby-tiassa Region of Ivory Coast AU - Kone Nahoua AU - Silue Napkalo AU - Fofana Balakissa AU - Zouzou Michel AU - Kone Daouda Y1 - 2025/11/26 PY - 2025 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jps.20251306.13 DO - 10.11648/j.jps.20251306.13 T2 - Journal of Plant Sciences JF - Journal of Plant Sciences JO - Journal of Plant Sciences SP - 218 EP - 227 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2331-0731 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jps.20251306.13 AB - Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is the main cash crop in Côte d'Ivoire and the primary source of income for producers. However, recent studies have highlighted the harmful effects of pod diseases on local production and the existence of a group of pathogens (Lasiodiplodia spp. and Fusarium spp.) that require better characterization in order to reorient control efforts. The objective of this study was to perform morphological and molecular characterization of isolates of Lasiodiplodia spp. and Fusarium spp. isolated from cocoa pods affected by rot. Samples of infected pods and soil from cocoa plantations were collected from seven locations in the Agneby-Tiassa region. After isolation on 11% agar culture medium, the isolates were purified on pea and carrot agar culture medium. Macroscopic and microscopic observations were made on these isolates. After DNA extraction, PCR tests with ITS4 and ITS5 primers were performed for molecular identification of the isolates. The PCR products obtained were transferred to a facility for sequencing. It should be noted that macroscopic and microscopic observations showed that Lasiodiplodia spp. isolates are light gray or gray-black in color, with thick-walled septate conidia. Fusarium spp. isolates are whitish in color, with oval microconidia and curved macroconidia. PCR test results showed that the isolates from the southeastern region of Côte d'Ivoire are Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Fusarium solani. Sequencing showed that these isolates were 100% similar to the species in the gene bank. This study will help to better target the fight against cocoa pod rot in Côte d'Ivoire by implementing sustainable control strategies. VL - 13 IS - 6 ER -
Plant Physiology Laboratory, University of Peleforo Gon Coulibaly, Khorogo, Ivory Coast
Agriculture, Allieutic Resources and Agro-Industries, University of San-Pedro, San Pedro, Ivory Coast
Plant Physiology and Pathology Teaching and Research Unit, University of Felix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Plant Physiology and Pathology Teaching and Research Unit, University of Felix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Plant Physiology and Pathology Teaching and Research Unit, University of Felix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
