Robust chemometric models for screening mango cultivars to predict their resistance against Fusarium infection

Mango blossom malformation, caused by infection of mango panicles and young shoots by Fusarium species, leads to significant reductions in fruit yield. Previously, chemometric models were established that allowed biomarkers associated with resistance in tolerant cultivars to be identified. High concentrations of these biomarkers, mangiferin, maclurin and maclurin O-galloyl-glucoside, are inherent genetic traits of some cultivars and have been linked to their ability to confine Fusarium infection. In this study, phenolic profiles of mature leaf extracts from cultivars exhibiting different levels of resistance to Fusarium infection were obtained by UPLC-Q-ToF x MS, five tolerant and seven susceptible cultivars. A robust prediction model, was developed that could be used throughout the season to predict the likelihood of new cultivars being susceptible or tolerant towards mango malformation disease. The levels of biomarkers revealed by the models in tolerant and susceptible cultivars were compared and significant differences were observed. These models can serve as an important tool to investigate appropriate cultivars, prior to their introduction to areas prone to the disease.