Full Length Research Paper
Abstract
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.) is one of the major foods in Cameroon. This study aims to identify fungi species from Cassava leaves and determine its phylogenetic relationship. Random sampling was used to collect symptomatic leaves in 20 cassava farms and cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Mycelia of 31 pure isolates were harvested and used for molecular analysis. DNA was extracted using the sorbitol – CTAB (Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide)) method and amplified using the complete Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) and partial Translation Elongation Factor (TEF) gene regions. Sequences were edited using Chromas and Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) performed in National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Neighbor-joining in MEGA 10.2 (Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis) was used to generate phylograms at 1000 bootstrap. Six fungi genera were identified based on colony characteristics (Aspergillus, Candida, Colletotrichum, Fusarium, Penicillium and Trichoderma) while twenty-one fungi species were identified following molecular identification. From the ITS, nineteen fungi species were identified and grouped into fifteen genera (Aspergillus, Candida, Clonostachys, Colletotrichum, Curvularia, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Geotrichum, Mucor, Nigrospora, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Phoma, Pichia, Trichoderma) while thirteen fungi species were identified from TEF belonging to ten genera (Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Clonostachys, Curvularia, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Geotrichum, Lentinus, Penicillium, Trichoderma). These species formed phylograms with four monophyletic groups. This study identified fungi species from cassava leaves and determined its phylogenetic relationship which is important to devise control measures.
Key words: Identification, fungi species, cassava leaves, cultural, molecular, phylogeny.
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