Multiple Introductions of Moniliophthora roreri from the Amazon to the Pacific Region in Ecuador and Shared High Azoxystrobin Sensitivity

One of the main problems in production cacao Ecuador is disease caused by fungus Moniliophthora roreri (frosty pod rot) which affects pods. Here, we evaluate genetic diversity this Ecuador, and its sensitivity to fungicide azoxystrobin. We evaluated 76 monosporic cultures from Amazon Pacific coast regions. In vitro assays tested several doses azoxystrobin determine percent growth inhibition IC50. Concentrations 1 0.1 µg mL−1 inhibited at least 91% isolates. Three isolates were less sensitive (IC50 = 0.0220–0.0364 mL−1), two Guayas (Pacific coast) one Sucumbíos (Amazon) provinces. However, M. highly sensitive, it could be used integrated management disease. Genetic analyses carried out amplifying microsatellite markers (SSR). All statistics show a higher compared samples region; however, molecular variance was low (FST 0.11). Discriminant analysis clearly distinguishes three clusters concurrent with provinces (Sucumbíos, Orellana El Oro) group rest Minimum spanning networks shows, unexpectedly, that derived independent introductions Amazon. Findings are discussed light previous Pan-American studies available historical reports.