Role ofPenicillium funiculosumStrains in the Development of Pineapple Fruit Diseases

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Abstract
Three strains of P. funiculosum, a nonpigmented reverse strain P1 and 2 red-pigmented strains P2 and P3, were isolated from diseased pineapple fruits, withered pineapple flowers, debris in the plant heart, pineapple trash and insects found on or around the plant. Comparative pathogenicity tests revealed that all isolates of the P1 strain were virulent and induced significantly high levels of interfruitlet corking, leathery pocket, and fruitlet core rot. Isolates of the red-pigmented strains and strains of P. funiculosum from other sources were not pathogenic. Inoculations at 1 and 4 wk after chemical flower induction with isolates of the red-pigmented strains resulted in disease levels significantly lower than in uninoculated check plants.