Abstract
Interaction among Fusarium moniliforme Sheld., Tyrolichus casei Oudemans colonizing malformed mango (Mangifera indica cv. Banarasi Langra) panicles, and mangiferin (1, 3, 6, 7-tetrahydroxyxanthone-C2-?-D glucoside), a defensive metabolite of the host plant in relation to floral malformation, was investigated. The fungal and mite populations were initially positively related to the mangiferin content and the disease incidence. Further increase in mangiferin content reduced the fungal and mite populations; however, the increase in infection rate was not affected until the Fusarium population was too low. The fungal conidia remained adhered to the body surface of the mites inhabiting malformed panicles, and its plating on potato dextrose agar showed a trail of fungal colonies along the pathway of its movement. Tyrolichus casei facilitated the ingress of the fungus into the host cells while F. moniliforme served as the feed of T. casei and increased its multiplication.