POWDERY MILDEW OF MANGO: CURRENT STATUS, PERSPECTIVE AND EMERGING TOOLS FOR MANAGEMENT

Mango (Mangifera indica) is an important fruit crop that belongs to the family Anacardiacae. It is considered the most delicious fruit cultivated around the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. In Pakistan, mango ranked second in terms of production after citrus. It plays a vital role in enriching the economy of the country. However, its production is hampered by several biotic and abiotic stresses. Fungal pathogens are a major threat to the successful production of mangoes. Powdery mildew, caused by the fungus Pseudoidium anacardii (formerly Oidium mangifera), poses a significant threat to mango crops worldwide, leading to substantial losses in yield. Previous studies confirmed that around 20-25% of yield losses in mango production occur due to powdery mildew disease, with 100% of disease incidence in major mango-growing regions. The most severe losses occur when flowering and growth flushes become infected, especially during cool and dry weather conditions. Optimal disease development typically happens within a temperature range of 11–14 °C minimum and 27–31 °C maximum, coupled with relative humidity levels of 64–72%. Despite the widespread impact, and influence of climate change, losses are increasing day by day. There is a lack of comprehensive research on the symptoms, biology, and control measures. Control is difficult due to the emergence of resistant strains and the varying levels of susceptibility of mango varieties. Therefore, it is crucial to implement integrated management techniques to control powdery mildew. To address this issue, various approaches, such as chemical control, biological control, and Nanotechnology are being employed as management strategies. This review included a brief explanation of different management strategies used against the powdery mildew of mango concerning previous studies.