Pathogenicity of pineapple heart rot disease causal organisms in Central Uganda

Pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merrill) is one of the most important horticultural crops in many tropical and sub-tropical countries including Uganda. Currently, pineapple production in Uganda is being threatened by the outbreak of Pineapple heart rot disease (PHRD). Information on the pathogenicity of the causal organisms in Uganda is still scanty. Therefore, this study determined the pathogenicity of pineapple heart rot disease causal organisms from central Uganda. Pathogenicity of the pineapple heart rot causal organisms was assayed on green apple fruits and pineapple plants in the laboratory and the screen house. Results indicated that out of the seven pure cultures used for inoculation, five were pathogenic. Ninety five percent (95%) of all inoculated plants developed heart rot disease symptoms and characteristics with the emergence being observed within 4-7 days and 9-20 days on green apples and pineapple plants, respectively. Therefore this study has proved that PHRD causal organisms in Uganda affect pineapple and the effect manifests within a short period of time.