Fungi associated with Sudden Death Syndrome Disease of Eurycoma Longifolia in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

In 2014, during a survey of Eurycomo Longifolia Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) on two plantations, several isolates of Fusarium sip., Lasiadiplodia sp., Pestalotia sp., Curvularia sp., Colletotrichum sp. and Ceratocystis sp. were obtained. The aim of this study was to identify associated fungi of Eurycoma Longifolia SDS disease. All infected plants showed yellowing symptoms in the older leaves, followed by wilting of the plant. Infected plants by Ceratocystis sp. showed an extra sign of gum exuding from a crack on the bark. All cross section and longitudinal section of samples revealed staining of the vascular longifor tissue on the infected plants. The isolated fungi were initially identified based on morphological characteristics. In total, 29 isolates were obtained from shoots, stems and roots of SDS samples from both plantations. Fusarium and Lasiodiplodia isolates were the highest percentage with 48% and 35% compare to other isolate obtained. In general, Pestalotia sp., Curvularia sp., Colletotrichum sp. and Ceratocystis sp. were newly recorded associate fungi for E. Longifolia SDS in the country. Therefore, further identification using molecular technique and research to determine the pathogenicity of fungi isolated need to be conducted.