PRESENCIA DE Chaetocapnodium zapotae EN FRUTOS DE CHICOZAPOTE (Manilkara zapota) EN VERACRUZ, MÉXICO

Background. The chicozapote, is native to Central America, has economic potential, due to the properties of its fruits, wood, and the production of latex. Objective. To evaluate the incidence and severity of Chaetocapnodium zapotae in Manilkara zapota fruits. Methodology. In the month of April 2022, the incidence and severity of Chaetocapnodium zapotae were evaluated in an orchard in the Apazapan, Veracruz, Mexico area. Trees were randomly selected (25% of the total number of trees in the orchard). 20 fruits per tree were collected. The percentage of incidence was calculated with the formula: I (%)=number of fruits with signs of disease / total number of fruits evaluated *100: Severity was evaluated with a visual scale. Results. The percentage of fruits with the presence of C. zapotae was not significantly different between the two strata of the tree crowns (t=0.519, gl=22, p=0.609). Also, no differences were observed in the orientation of the fruits within the crown. (t=1.59, gl=22; p= 0.126). All the trees evaluated presented at least one affected fruit, with an average percentage of incidence of 39.6 ± 4.5% (mean ± standard error). Implications. With this study, the need to look for new alternatives for the commercialization of its fruits is evidenced, such as the sale of processed pulp and thus avoiding its depreciation due to the external appearance. Conclusions. This research establishes the basis for future studies that should focus on the development of strategies that minimize the negative effects of C. zapotae, a new species, on M. zapota fruits in the state of Veracruz.