Morphological and molecular identification of fungi for their association with postharvest fruit rots in some selected citrus species

Purpose: The availability of fresh Citrus fruits is limited by their susceptibility to invasion microbial pathogens which leads cause serious postharvest losses. present study was carried out isolate and morphologically identify fungal associations from selected fruit species (C. sinensis, C. limon, crenatifolia medica) confirm identity molecular characterization. Research method: Postharvest were isolated, identification done based on morphological characteristics. Confirmation through phylogenetic analysis newly generated ITS sequencing data. Further, frequency occurrence each calculated in three different districts Sri Lanka. Findings: From the identification, Collectrichum fructicola, gloeosporioides, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Aspergillus niger Pestalotiopsis sp. recorded sinensis. Neofusicoccum parvum, gigasporium clavatus isolated crenatifolia. theobromae L. pseudotheobromae only association limon medica species, respectively. It worthwhile noting that this first report limitations: Since research mainly focused isolation potential associations, pathogenicity evaluation could not be out. Originality/Value: Findings disease causative agents citrus will valuable for agriculture sector, adopt practice effective strategies minimize losses fruits.