Mapping Global Potential Risk of Mango Sudden Decline Disease Caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata

PLoS One. 2016 Jul 14;11(7):e0159450. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159450. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

The Mango Sudden Decline (MSD), also referred to as Mango Wilt, is an important disease of mango in Brazil, Oman and Pakistan. This fungus is mainly disseminated by the mango bark beetle, Hypocryphalus mangiferae (Stebbing), by infected plant material, and the infested soils where it is able to survive for long periods. The best way to avoid losses due to MSD is to prevent its establishment in mango production areas. Our objectives in this study were to: (1) predict the global potential distribution of MSD, (2) identify the mango growing areas that are under potential risk of MSD establishment, and (3) identify climatic factors associated with MSD distribution. Occurrence records were collected from Brazil, Oman and Pakistan where the disease is currently known to occur in mango. We used the correlative maximum entropy based model (MaxEnt) algorithm to assess the global potential distribution of MSD. The MaxEnt model predicted suitable areas in countries where the disease does not already occur in mango, but where mango is grown. Among these areas are the largest mango producers in the world including India, China, Thailand, Indonesia, and Mexico. The mean annual temperature, precipitation of coldest quarter, precipitation seasonality, and precipitation of driest month variables contributed most to the potential distribution of MSD disease. The mango bark beetle vector is known to occur beyond the locations where MSD currently exists and where the model predicted suitable areas, thus showing a high likelihood for disease establishment in areas predicted by our model. Our study is the first to map the potential risk of MSD establishment on a global scale. This information can be used in designing strategies to prevent introduction and establishment of MSD disease, and in preparation of efficient pest risk assessments and monitoring programs.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ascomycota / pathogenicity*
  • Coleoptera
  • Mangifera / microbiology*
  • Plant Diseases / etiology
  • Plant Diseases / microbiology
  • Plant Diseases / prevention & control
  • Plant Diseases / statistics & numerical data*
  • Rain
  • Risk Factors
  • Seasons
  • Temperature

Grants and funding

The authors are grateful for the financial support and fellowships provided by VALE, the National Council of Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), the Minas Gerais State Foundation for Research Aid (FAPEMIG), CAPES Foundation (Brazilian Ministry of Education), VALE Oman and SQU. SK was partially supported by U.S. Geological Survey and a grant through the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission (WTFRC) from the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.