Macrophomina pseudophaseolina isolated from weeds is pathogenic against cowpea, mung bean, corn, and sorghum

The Macrophomina genus consists of soil-dwelling fungi that infect hundreds of plant species. Macrophomina pseudophaseolina is a recent species reported on different crops and weeds worldwide, which has gained importance due to its aggressiveness and losses caused to crop production. The present investigation revealed the first report on pathogenicity of M. pseudophaseolina in mung bean, corn, and sorghum. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, using five plant species (cowpea, mung bean, jack bean, corn, and sorghum). The plants were inoculated with isolates of M. phaseolina (CMM-4733, CMM-4749, CMM-4752, CMM-4758, CMM-4760, and CMM-4762) and M. pseudophaseolina (CMM-4777, CMM-4780, CMM-4788, CMM-4795, CMM-4801, and CMM-4826) which were originally obtained from Trianthema portulacastrum and Boerhavia diffusa . In addition, an isolate of M. phaseolina from cowpea (MPH-FE) was inoculated as absolute control. Inoculations were performed using the toothpick method and evaluations consisted of the determination of the percentage of affected tissue, and fresh and dry weight. All isolates of M. phaseolina and M. pseudophaseolina were pathogenic to cowpea, mung bean, corn, and sorghum. These isolates reduced the fresh and dry mass of shoots of all the plant species studied. Canavalia ensiformis (jack bean) was resistant to both Macrophomina species and is recommended for management programs of these pathogens in production areas.