Aislamiento e identificación de hongos patógenos de naranja Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck cultivada en baja California Sur, Eéxico

Citric fruits constitute an important commodity in Mexico. However, because of significant post-harvest loses (up to 40%), the citrus industry in Mexico requires optimization. The presence of pathogenic fungi affecting root system, stem, leaves and fruits, represent a risk for ulterior development of post-harvest rotting. In this work, several varieties of orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck), Valencia Temprana, Valencia Tardia y Washington Navel, grown in Comondú, Baja California Sur, México were analyzed, aiming to identify the corresponding pathogenic fungi present on the fruit surface. Several fungi belonging to Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium genera were isolated. Sequence analysis of their ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA region showed that the fungi correspond to A. flavus, F. oxysporum, P. digitatum, P. italicum, and P. variabile species, which are known to cause diseases affecting fruit quality. This work identify suitable treatments for citrus production in Baja California Sur in order to extend their shelf-life and quality to compete in national and international markets successfully.