Abstract Biochar (BCH) is a solid product, rich in carbon, obtained by heating biomass under controlled conditions of oxygenation, in a process known as pyrolysis. Its benefits are associated with improvements to the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. Furthermore, BCH can affect the growth of phytopathogenic microorganisms. Despite research advances in this area, there is still a lack of information on the effect of BCH concentration on different soilborne microorganisms. This work evaluated the direct effect of sewage sludge biochar (SSB) on the in vitro growth of different soilborne fungi. Eight phytopathogens [Fusarium oxysporum, F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (CEN 1456), Macrophomina phaseolina (429), Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, S. sclerotiorum (CEN 1147), Sclerotium rolfsii (CEN 216), Sclerotium cepivorum (CEN 1357), Rhizoctonia solani] were evaluated. Additionally, a biological control agent [Trichoderma afroharzianum (T-22)] was also studied. Microorganisms were subjected to growth in PDA (Potato-Dextrose-Agar) culture medium enriched with SSB. Biochars, produced at 300 and 500 ºC, were applied at different doses: 0.0 (control), 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 (g of SSB/100 ml of PDA). Biochars showed inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth of the different fungi evaluated. It was observed that there is a certain specificity of biochar concentration that must be evaluated for the control of phytopathogens. In most cases, the 0.4 and 0.6% concentrations had a greater inhibitory effect on phytopathogens and did not affect the biological control agent. Therefore, SSB proved to be a promising product for the control of different soilborne phytopathogens.

ABSTRACT The objectives of the work were to culturally and physiologically characterize 15 isolates of Sclerotium sp. from beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott], garlic (Allium sativum L.), and ornamental plants [Neomarica caerulea (Ker Gawl.) Sprague and Hydrocotyle sp.], from Cuba and Brazil, under different lighting conditions and determine the presence of their Mycelial Compatibility Groups (GCM). For this, the inoculated Petri dishes containing Papa Dextrose Agar (PDA) culture medium were placed under three lighting regimes [constant darkness (OC), alternating light (LA), and constant light (LC)] at 28 ± 2°C. The mycelial growth diameter and the surface texture and color of the colonies were evaluated in each isolate, as well as the number, weight and diameter of sclerotia under each condition. Confrontation tests were used to determine the existence of GCM. The highest production of sclerotia was under LC, and the lowest under OC. Mycelial compatibility was observed between the colonies of isolates from the same host (No. 1 and 9 of C. arietinum and No. 5 and 6 of P. vulgaris) and between isolates from different hosts (P. vulgaris - S. lycopersicum and A. sativum - N. caerulea). Five GCM were obtained, GCM- I (No. 1 and 9), GCM-II (No. 5 and 6), GCM-III (No. 10 and 11), GCM-IV (No. 10 and 12), and GCM-V (No. 13 and 14).

RESUMEN Los objetivos del trabajo fueron caracterizar cultural y fisiológicamente 15 aislamientos de Sclerotium sp. procedentes de frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), garbanzo (Cicer arietinum L.), tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.), malanga [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott], ajo (Allium sativum L.) y las plantas ornamentales Neomarica caerulea (Ker Gawl.) Sprague y Hydrocotyle sp. de Cuba y Brasil, bajo diferentes condiciones de iluminación, y determinar la presencia de los Grupos de Compatibilidad Micelial (GCM) de los mismos. Para ello se usaron placas Petri contentivas de medio de cultivo Papa Dextrosa Agar (PDA), bajo tres regímenes de luz: oscuridad constante (OC), luz alterna (LA) y luz constante (LC) a 28±2°C. Se evaluó el diámetro del crecimiento micelial, textura superficial y color de las colonias en cada aislamiento, así como el número, peso y diámetro de esclerocios en cada condición. Además, se realizaron pruebas de enfrentamiento para determinar la existencia de GCM. La mayor producción de esclerocios fue bajo LC, y la menor a OC. Se observó Compatibilidad Micelial entre las colonias de aislamientos procedentes de un mismo hospedante (No. 1 y 9 de C. arietinum; No. 5 y 6 de P. vulgaris) y entre aislamientos de hospedantes diferentes (P. vulgaris - S. lycopersicum y A. sativum - N. caerulea). Se lograron obtener cinco GCM: GCM- I (No. 1 y 9), GCM-II (No. 5 y 6), GCM-III (No. 10 y 11), GCM-IV (No. 10 y 12) y GCM-V (No. 13 y 14).

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver e validar uma escala diagramática para melhorar a acurácia, precisão e reprodutibilidade na avaliação da severidade da verrugose em folhas trilobadas do maracujazeiro azedo. A escala apresentou seis níveis de severidade (1; 3; 6; 11; 21 e 33%) e aumentou a acurácia das estimativas, reduzindo os erros constantes e sistemáticos, a tendência de superestimação em relação aos valores de severidade real e o número de avaliadores que apresentavam essa tendência, além de aumentar o fator de correção do desvio. Os avaliadores inexperientes foram os mais beneficiados pela utilização da escala, sendo que 80% e 100% destes avaliadores apresentaram estimativas livres de erros constantes e sistemáticos, respectivamente, quando a escala foi empregada. O aumento da precisão foi verificado pelo incremento dos coeficientes de determinação e de concordância de Lin, redução dos erros absolutos e aumento da reprodutibilidade das estimativas.

ABSTRACT: The study aimed to develop and validate a standard area diagram set (SADs) to improve accuracy, precision, and reproducibility in the assessment of scab severity in trilobed leaves of the sour passion fruit. The SADs comprised six severity levels (1%; 3%; 6%; 11%; 21%; and 33%). The SADs increased the accuracy of the estimates by reducing the constant and systematic errors, and the tendency to overestimate the actual severity, limited the number of evaluators who presented this trend, in addition to increasing the bias correction factor. The inexperienced evaluators were the ones that benefited the most from the SADs use. Once the SADs was introduced, 80% and 100% evaluators gave estimates free from constant and systematic errors, respectively. The improvement in precision was verified by the increase in the coefficient of determination and Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient, by reducing absolute errors and increasing the reproducibility of the estimates.

ABSTRACT The use of cover crop in agricultural fields has been well elucidated, especially regarding nitrogen fixation from legume crops and their function as weed protection. Furthermore, to cover crops can benefit the soil microbial community. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the benefits of mulching and cover cropping systems on soil microbial growth and activity, and their effects on plant mineral nutrition in pomelo (Citrus maxima ) and macadamia ( Macadamia integrifolia ) orchards. The treatments included: 1) control [Glyphosate herbicide (Roundup at 4 l per ha)], 2) manual weed control, 3) mulching with dead leaves from their respective trees (macadamia and pomelo), 4) millet, 5) faba bean, 6) millet + faba bean. All the treatments were applied for 120 days before soil and plant leaves were sampled for analyses. Plant mineral nutrition, soil microbial biomass C (MBC) and soil microbial biomass N (MBN); basal respiration (BRA), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization (COL); number of AMF spores (SPO) in soil; total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) were evaluated. Plant nutrition was not altered by the treatments; however, the MBC, COL and SPO markedly increased in response to mulching and faba bean + millet treatments. Especially in macadamia soils, these treatments had a great response to soil microbiology. Significant negative correlations were also detected for the COL, SPO, BRA and TOC with the Nutrient Balance Index (NBI). These results indicate that in short-term the cover cropping system is useful to improve the soil microbial growth and AMF formation in soils of pomelo and macadam orchards.

RESUMO A mancha de ramulária (MR) é a principal doença do algodoeiro no Brasil e uma das principais causas de redução na produtividade da cultura. A doença causa desfolha, reduz a capacidade fotossintética e provoca abertura precoce de capulhos. Devido a importância da doença para o algodão e da carência de publicações nessa área, neste se avaliou a eficiência de fungicidas no controle da MR em algodoeiro e mensurou os danos causados sobre a produtividade e a qualidade da fibra. Foram conduzidos três experimentos de nas safras 2014/15 e 2016/17, em Planaltina/DF e Cristalina/GO, seguindo o delineamento de blocos casualizados e os tratamentos foram compostos pelos fungicidas, além de uma testemunha. As aplicações foram iniciadas preventivamente e repetidas a cada 14 dias (6 pulverizações). As variáveis mensuradas foram a severidade da MR, com a qual foi calculada a área abaixo da curva de progresso da MR (AACPR), a produtividade e a qualidade da fibra do algodão. Os fungicidas avaliados reduziram significativamente a AACPR em relação à testemunha e obtiveram maior produtividade de algodão em caroço. As estrobilurinas (azoxistrobina, piraclostrobina e picoxistrobina) mostraram baixa efetividade no controle da doença. Os triazóis (difenoconazol, epoxiconazol, tetraconazol e metconazol) apresentaram desempenho superior às estrobilurinas. Maior eficiência de controle foi obtida pela aplicação de piraclostrobina + fluxapiroxade, piraclostrobina + epoxiconazol + fluxapiroxade e hidróxido de fentina. A MR reduziu a produtividade do algodoeiro e induziu danos de 14,8 a 31,7%, reduzindo a qualidade da fibra, impactando negativamente o micronaire, comprimento, resistência e uniformidade da fibra.

ABSTRACT Ramularia leaf spot (RLS) is the major cotton disease in Brazil and one of the main causes of crop yield reduction. The disease causes defoliation reduces photosynthetic capacity and causes premature opening of bolls. Due to the impact of RLS on the production of Brazilian cotton and the lack of scientific publications investigating the disease, the present work aims to evaluate the efficiency of fungicides in controlling disease and their impact on yield and fiber quality. Three field experiments were carried out during the 2014/2015 and 2016/2017 seasons in Planaltina, Federal District and Cristalina, Goiás. Experiments followed a randomized complete block design (4 blocks) and treatments consisted of the application of fungicides, plus a non-treated plot. The fungicide applications began preventively and were repeated every 14 days until six sprays had been completed. Severity of RLS was assessed and used to calculate the area under disease progress curve (AUDPC). Yield and cotton fiber quality were also evaluated. All fungicides had reduced AUDPC and obtained higher cotton yields in relation to the non-treated plot. Strobilurin-group fungicides (azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin and picoxystrobin) showed low effectiveness when sprayed alone. The demethylation inhibitor fungicides (difenoconazole, epoxiconazol, tetraconazol and metconazole) were more effective than the strobilurins. The highest efficiency rates were achieved by application of pyraclostrobin + fluxapyroxad, pyraclostrobin + epoxiconazole + fluxapyroxad and fentin hydroxide. Disease severity affected cotton yield, causing losses from 14.8% to 31.7%. Resultant reductions in cotton fiber quality negatively affect the micronaire composition, altering the length, strength and uniformity of fibers.

Abstract This study is based on the importance of biological control methods and the lack of information on the effect of biochar (BCH) from sewage sludge associated or not with Trichoderma harzianum on the control of Macrophomina phaseolina in the bean crop (Phaseolus vulgaris, cv. BRS Estilo). Biochar from sewage sludge, pyrolyzed at 500 ºC and used in low concentration (0.5%), has a direct effect on the in vitro control of M. phaseolina. However, higher BCH concentrations stimulated the growth of the pathogen. In culture medium with or without BCH, T. harzianum (strain 1306) inhibited the mycelial growth of M. phaseolina. The addition of BCH + T. harzianum reduced the deleterious effects caused by M. phaseolina on bean plants. This study demonstrated that joint application of BCH from sewage sludge + T. harzianum considerably increased the fresh and dry mass of bean plants, inoculated or not with M. phaseolina.

Abstract Yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) yield and longevity have been drastically reduced by bacterial spot (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae - Xap) and passion fruit woodiness disease (PWD) (Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus - CABMV). This study was aimed at evaluating the reaction of 11 genotypes of yellow passion fruit, based on the reaction of their progenies, to both mechanically inoculated Xap and CABMV, under greenhouse conditions. There was a progressive increase in bacterial spot and PWD severity with time. BRS Gigante Amarelo, MAR20#12, and MAR20#34 were selected as the progenies with lowest bacterial spot severity and disease progress over time. MAR20#2005, EC-L-7, UnB2015-1, and EC-3-0 presented the lowest PWD severity and disease progress over time. These progenies, along with individual plants from other progenies in which disease severity was significantly low until the last evaluation, will be cloned and tested again for Xap and CABMV, including other isolates.

Resumo Este estudo desenvolveu e validou uma escala diagramática para a avaliação da severidade da bacteriose (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae) em frutos do maracujazeiro-azedo (Passiflora edulis). A escala diagramática apresentou oito níveis de severidade (1%, 3%, 5%, 10%, 21%, 38%, 65% e 80%). Para a sua validação, 20 avaliadores foram divididos em grupos (G1 e G3, sem experiência; G2 e G4, com experiência), que inicialmente estimaram a severidade da doença sem auxílio da escala. Posteriormente, G1 e G2 fizeram outra avaliação sem a escala, e G3 e G4 realizaram a avaliação com a escala proposta. A acurácia e a precisão das estimativas foram determinadas por regressão linear simples e pelo coeficiente de correlação de concordância de Lin. O incremento da acurácia foi observado pela redução dos erros constantes e sistemáticos, indicando que as severidades estimadas se aproximaram dos valores reais quando a escala foi utilizada. Os avaliadores inexperientes foram os mais beneficiados pelo uso da escala, sendo que 60% e 100% dos avaliadores apresentaram estimativas sem erros constantes e sistemáticos, respectivamente. O aumento da precisão foi verificado pelo incremento dos coeficientes de determinação, pela redução dos erros absolutos e pelo aumento da reprodutibilidade das estimativas entre pares de avaliadores.

Abstract This study developed and validated a standard area diagram set (SADs) for severity assessment of bacterial spot (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. ) in passifloraefruits of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis). The SADs consisted of eight severity levels (1%; 3%; 5%; 10%; 21%; 38%; 65%; and 80%). For its validation, 20 raters, who initially estimated the disease severity without the aid of the SADs, were divided into groups (G1 and G3, inexperienced; G2 and G4, experienced). Subsequently, G1 and G2 performed the second evaluation without the proposed SADs, and G3 and G4 completed the second evaluation using the proposed SADs. The accuracy and precision of the assessments were determined by simple linear regression and by the Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient. The increase in the accuracy was confirmed by the reduction in the constant and systematic errors, indicating that the estimated severities were close to the actual values when the SADs was used. Inexperienced raters benefited the most from the use of the SADs, and 60% and 100% of them presented constant and systematic error-free estimates, respectively. Precision increased with the increase in the coefficient of determination, the reduction in absolute errors, and the increase in the reproducibility of the estimates between pairs of raters.

RESUMO: O algodoeiro (Gossypium hirsutum) é acometido por várias doenças de importância econômica, dentre as quais a meloidoginose (Meloidogyne incognita raças 3 e 4). Entre os métodos de controle dessa doença, destacam-se as aplicações de nematicidas, a solarização, a aração profunda, a rotação de culturas e o uso de microrganismos antagonistas. Dentre as espécies do gênero Bacillus, existem estirpes que atuam como biorreguladores e antagonistas de vários patógenos. Os testes para identificação dessas estirpes são prejudicados pela dificuldade de se obter grandes populações do patógeno e pelo tempo de execução dos testes in vivo que devem ser conduzidos por cerca de 90 dias. Diante disso, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo comparar a toxicidade de estirpes de B. thuringiensis a dois nematoides, M. icognita e Caenorhabditis elegans, verificando a possibilidade de empregar C. elegans como indicador para a seleção de estirpes com potencial de biocontrole contra M. incognita. Para tanto, a toxicidade de nove estirpes de B. thuringiensis para C. elegans e M. incognita foi avaliada em laboratório e em casa de vegetação. A maioria das estirpes tóxicas ao C. elegans in vitro, também foi tóxica ao M. incognita, sendo que três delas (S906, S1192, S2036) reduziram significativamente as populações dos dois nematoides. O efeito tóxico apresentado pelas estirpes de B. thuringiensis contra C. elegans foram similares aos apresentados pelos mesmos isolados contra M. incognita in vivo. Esses resultados sugerem que é plausível o uso do C. elegans como indicador de toxicidade para seleção de estirpes de B. thuringiensis tóxicas a M. incognita.

ABSTRACT: The cotton plant (Gossypium hirsutum) is affected by several diseases of economic importance, among them root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita races 3 and 4). Methods to control this disease include the application of nematicides, solarization, deep plowing, crop rotation and use of antagonistic microorganisms. Among species of Bacillus, there are strains that act as bioregulators and antagonists of several pathogens. Tests to identify these strains are hampered by the difficulty of obtaining large populations of the pathogen and by the time of execution of the in vivo tests that should be conducted for about 90 days. The objective of this research was to compare the toxicity of B. thuringiensis strains to two nematodes, M. incognita and Caenorhabditis elegans, evaluating the possibility of using C. elegans as an indicator for the selection of strains with biocontrol potential against M. incognita. Therefore, the toxicity of nine B. thuringiensis strains on C. elegans and M. incognita was evaluated under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Most strains toxic to C. elegans in vitro were also toxic to M. incognita, and three of them (S906, S1192, S2036) significantly reduced the populations of the two nematodes. The toxic effect of B. thuringiensis strains on C. elegans was like that reported for the same bacterial isolates on M. incognita in vivo. These results suggested that it is plausible to use C. elegans as an indicator of toxicity for selection of B. thuringiensis strains toxic to M. incognita.

RESUMO: Erwinia psidii é o agente causal da seca dos ponteiros da goiabeira ( Psidium guajava ), uma importante doença dessa cultura no Brasil. O patógeno afeta folhas, frutos, ramos e brotações, reduzindo significativamente a produtividade da cultura. A disseminação do patógeno ocorre por meio de material propagativo contaminado, porém assintomático. Os objetivos do trabalho foram avaliar o uso da BIO-PCR e da PCR convencional para detectar E. psidii em plantas inoculadas em casa de vegetação e em plantas sintomáticas e assintomáticas em pomares de goiabeira. A estirpe IBSBF 1576 de E. psidii foi inoculada (107UFC mL-1) em brotações novas de mudas de goiabeira e o tecido foi analisado nos tempos 0, 5, 10, e 15 dias após a inoculação. Sintomas foram observados após 5 dias e todas as plantas inoculadas foram positivas por PCR em todos os tempos avaliados, pelos dois métodos (BIO-PCR e PCR convencional). Sob condições de infecção natural em campo, três pomares foram avaliados por BIO-PCR. De cada pomar, foram coletadas 40 amostras, sendo 20 com e 20 sem sintomas. PCR foi positiva para 58 das 60 amostras sintomáticas (96,7%) e para 6,7% das amostras assintomáticas, demonstrando que o método pode ser usado para detectar o patógeno nos estágios iniciais da infecção. Este método poderá ser útil como uma ferramenta para a diagnose e para monitorar a sobrevivência e disseminação da bactéria e, consequentemente, novos focos da doença.

ABSTRACT: Erwinia psidii causes bacterial blight of guava ( Psidium guajava ), an important disease of this crop in Brazil. The pathogen affects branches and twigs of guava trees, reducing yield significantly. Bacterial dissemination often occurs through contaminated but asymptomatic propagating plant material. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the use of BIO-PCR and conventional PCR to detect E. psidii in inoculated guava plants grown in a greenhouse and in symptomatic and asymptomatic trees from guava orchards. Erwinia psidii strain IBSBF 1576 was inoculated (107CFU mL-1) into young guava shoots and plant tissue was analysed at 0, 5, 10, and 15 days after inoculation. Symptoms were observed after 5 days and all inoculated shoots were PCR positive at all times, by both BIO-PCR and conventional PCR. Under natural infection conditions, 40 samples were tested by BIO-PCR from each of three guava orchards, 20 showing symptoms and 20 asymptomatic. PCR was positive for 58 out of 60 symptomatic samples (96.7%) and for 6.7% of asymptomatic samples, showing that the method can be used to detect the pathogen at early stages of infection. This PCR method may be used as a diagnostic tool to assess bacterial survival, dissemination and disease outbreaks.

RESUMO Foram comparados dois sistemas de produção cultural (orgânico = OR; convencional = CO) e seus efeitos no controle da seca dos ponteiros (Erwinia psidii) da goiabeira (Psidium guajava). O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados, em arranjo de parcelas subsubdivididas, onde foram mensuradas a bacteriose e a produção de frutos nas safras de 2005/2006, 2006/207 e 2007/2008. Nas safras, foram avaliados os efeitos das quatro épocas de poda (setembro, dezembro, março e junho) em ambos os sistemas de produção. Tais sistemas constituíram-se de: OR - tratamentos com composto bioativo (CB), CB líquido e cobertura morta; e CO - adubação química, fungicida e herbicida. Em 2007/2008, a Área Abaixo da Curva de Progresso da Doença (AACPD) de todos os tratamentos no sistema OR foi menor (~54-107) que em CO (~233-298). Na safra de 2007/2008 o número de frutos por planta para todos os tratamentos em OR foi maior (~146-204) do que aqueles em CO (~57-103). Em todas as safras, considerando todos os tratamentos dentro de cada sistema, houve significativamente menor AACPD (~93-184) e maior produção de frutos (~158-188) em OR do que em CO (AACPD: ~208-476; frutos: ~81-104). Poda induziu maior AACPD e menor produção de frutos em ambos os sistemas de produção.

ABSTRACT In this work, two cultural production systems were compared [conventional (CO) and organic (OR)], and its effects in the guava trees (Psidium guajava) bacterial blight (Erwinia psidii) control. The experimental design was in radomized blocks, in split-split-plot arrangement, where it was measured the bacterial disease and the fruits production on the 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08 harvests. Four pruning seasons effects were evaluated on the harvests (September, December, March and June) in both production systems. Such systems were constituted of: OR – treatment with bioactive compound (BC), liquid BC and dead coverage, and; CO – chemical fertilization, fungicide and herbicide. In 2007/08, the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) of all the treatments in the OR system was lower (~54-107) than the CO one(~233-298). In the 2007/08 harvest the number of fruits for each plant for all the OR treatments was higher (~146-204) than the CO ones (~57-103). In all the harvests, considering all the treatments within each system, there was a significantly lower AUDPC (~93-184) and higher fruits production (~158-188) in the OR one than the CO one (AUDPC: ~208-476; fruits ~18-104). The pruning induced a higher AUDPC and lower fruits production in both production sytems.

A podridão de frutos causada por Phytophthora palmivora é uma das principais doenças pós-colheita que acomete o mamão e outras culturas de relevância econômica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da temperatura (15, 20, 25, 30 e 35 ºC), do período de molhamento (0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 h) e da concentração de inóculo (10¹ a 10(7) zoósporos mL-1) de quatro isolados de P. palmivora provenientes do sul da Bahia (PP04 e PP20) e do norte do Espírito Santo (PP15 e PP16) sobre a severidade da podridão-do-fruto em mamão cv. Sunrise Solo na pós-colheita. As mais altas concentrações de inóculo testadas 10(6) e 10(7) zoósporos mL-1 provocaram as maiores áreas de lesão nos frutos, aumentando a severidade da infecção dos quatro isolados de P. palmivora testados. A severidade da podridão-dos-frutos do mamoeiro foi significativamente influenciada pela temperatura de incubação e pelo período de molhamento dos frutos, com maiores áreas de lesão nos frutos expostos a 25 ºC e período de molhamento de 72 h . Sob estas condições o isolado PP04 foi o mais agressivo, pois causou maiores lesões nos frutos (7126,29 mm²) que os demais isolados. Houve variação quanto à agressividade entre os isolados da Bahia e do Espírito Santo, tendo os últimos requerido uma concentração de inóculo crítica (CIcri) para causar infecção (10(4) zoósporos mL-1) maior que os primeiros (10³ zoósporos mL-1).

Fruit rot caused by Phytophthora palmivora is one of the most important postharvest diseases affecting papaya and other economically important crops. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of temperature (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 ºC), wetness period (0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 h) and inoculum concentration (10¹ to 10(7) zoospores mL-1) of four P. palmivora isolates, from the south of Bahia (PP04 and PP20) and from the north of Espírito Santo (PP15 and PP16), on fruit rot severity in papaya cv. Sunrise Solo. The highest inoculum concentrations tested, 10(6) and 10(7) zoospores mL-1, caused the largest lesion areas in the fruits, increasing the infection severity for all four strains of P. palmivora tested. The severity of papaya fruit rot was significantly influenced by incubation temperature and fruit wetness period; the largest lesion areas were found on fruits exposed to 25ºC and 72 h wetness period. Under these conditions, the isolate PP04 was the most virulent since it caused larger lesions in the fruits (7126.29 mm²), compared to the remaining isolates. There was variation in virulence between the isolates from Bahia and Espirito Santo; the latter required a critical inoculum concentration (ICcri) to cause infection (10(4) zoospores mL-1), greater than that for the former (10³ zoospores mL-1).

Neste estudo, avaliou-se o efeito da microbiolização de sementes com bactérias extremófilas facultativas (Bacillus sp. e Enterobacter sp.), isoladas, em trabalhos anteriores, a partir de condições extremas de pH e NaCl e capazes de levar ao incremento na fitomassa de eucalipto, na germinação de Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake. Para avaliar a germinabilidade, foram mensurados o tempo médio, a velocidade e o coeficiente de velocidade de germinação. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com 11 tratamentos (cinco estirpes de Bacillus sp., cinco de Enterobacter sp. e uma testemunha sem bactéria), formados por oito repetições com 25 sementes cada. Os resultados do estudo indicaram que as estirpes UnB 1366 e UnB 1374 de Bacillus sp. reduziram, significativamente, menor tempo médio e maiores coeficientes e velocidades de germinação em relação às demais estirpes.

In this study the effect of seed microbiolization with facultative extremophile bacteria (Bacillus sp. and Enterobacter sp.), isolated in previous work, from extreme conditions of pH and NaCl and able to increase eucalyptus phytomass, on seed germinability of . Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake was evaluated. Mean germination time, speed of germination and coefficient of speed germination were measured to evaluate germinability. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design including 11 treatments (five strains of Bacillus sp., five of Enterobacter sp. and one control without bacteria), formed by 8 replicates with 25 seeds each. The results showed that Bacillus sp. strains UnB 1366 and UnB 1374 significantly reduced the lower mean germination time and higher coefficients and speed of germination in relation to the other strains.

Avaliou-se o grau de resistência de 36 clones de maracujazeiro obtidos por seleção massal de sete progênies de híbridos interespecíficos a três isolados de Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae. As progênies foram obtidas por meio de cruzamentos entre a cultivar comercial Passiflora edulis "flavicarpa" com as espécies silvestres P. caerulea, P. edulis "roxo" e P. setacea. Os isolados da bactéria foram obtidos em Rio Claro-SP, Planaltina-DF e Limeira-SP. Clones individuais foram inoculados com solução bacteriana na concentração de 108ufc ml-1 aos 120 dias da semeadura. As avaliações ocorreram aos 5, 10 e 15 dias após a inoculação, medindo-se o diâmetro longitudinal e transversal das lesões. Em seguida, calculou-se a área abaixo da curva de progresso da lesão (AACPL). O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso com parcelas subdivididas, sendo os genótipos os tratamentos distribuídos em quatro blocos com parcelas de três plantas para cada genótipo. Em cada parcela, plantas individuais foram inoculadas com um dos isolados da bactéria, totalizando três plantas com isolados diferentes. Plantas das espécies genitoras P. caerulea (AACPL=0,17) e P. setacea (AACPL=14,50) apresentaram alto grau de resistência, quando comparadas às plantas da testemunha BRS Gigante Amarelo (AACPL=4089,25), enquanto genótipos híbridos apresentaram valores intermediários (AACPL de 15,67 a 768,42), indicando a importância desses materiais como fontes de resistência à bacteriose.

The aim of this study was to evaluated the degree of resistance of 36 clones of passion obtained through mass selection progenies of seven interspecific hybrids, to three different isolates of X. axonopodis pv. passiflorae. The progenies were obtained by crossing among a commercial cultivate Passiflora edulis "yellow passion fruit" with wild species P. caerulea, P. edulis "purple passion fruit" and P. setacea. The bacterial isolates used were obtained in Rio Claro,SP, Planaltina,DF and Limeira,SP. Individual cloned were inoculated with bacterial solution in concentration with 108cfu ml-1 to 120 days of sowing. Symptoms were evaluated at 5, 10 and 15 days after inoculation, by measuring the longitudinal and transverse diameter of the lesion. Then, it was calculated the area under the lesion progress curve (AUPLC). A complete randomized block design with split plots was used, the treatments were the tested genotypes replicated in four blocks. All genotypes in each block had a three-plant plot. The bacterial isolates were inoculated in one plant of the plot, totaling three plants with different isolates. The plants of the genitors species P. caerulea (AUPLC=0.17) and P. setacea (AUPLC=14.50) presented high degree of resistance when compared to control plants BRS 'Gigante Amarelo' (AUPLC=4089.25), while hybrids genotypes presented intermediary values (AUPLC of 15.67 the 768.42), showing the importance of these wild Passiflora species as source of resistance to bacterial disease.

A murcha bacteriana do eucalipto (Raça 3 biovar 2T de Ralstonia solanacearum) foi descrita em 2009 em campo com o híbrido de eucalipto urograndis. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a virulência de duas estirpes de R. solanacearum a dezessete espécies de Eucalyptus, através do teste de microbiolização de sementes. A análise estatística dentre espécies mostrou que a virulência variou entre as estirpes estudadas. A virulência da R3bv2T foi significativamente maior em: urograndis, E. urophylla, E. grandis x E. camaldulensis, E. grandis, E. microcorys, E. deanei e E. phaeotricha; e maior para R1bv1 somente na espécie E. pellita. Entre espécies de eucalipto, observou-se maior suscetibilidade em "urograndis", E. grandis e E. paniculata para R3bv2T; e em E. cloeziana, E. paniculata, E. botryoides, E. pellita, E. propinqua e E. resinifera devido a R1bv1.

The bacterial wilt of Eucalyptus (Ralstonia solanacearum Race 3 biovar 2T) was reported in field of Eucalyptus hybrid urograndis. The objective of this research was to evaluate the virulence of two R. solanacearum strains to 17 Eucalyptus species, using the seed microbiolization method for pathogen inoculation. The results of the statistical analyses showed that virulence varied between the two R. solanacearum strains. The R3bv2T virulence was higher than the one in R1bv1 in the following Eucalyptus species: urograndis, E. urophylla, E. grandis x E. camaldulensis, E. grandis, E. microcorys, E. deanei, and E. phaeotricha. The virulence of the R1bv1 strain was higher only in E. pellita. Among species of Eucalyptus the following ones were more susceptibles: to R3bv2T strain - urograndis, E. grandis and E. paniculata, and to R1bv1 strain - E. cloeziana, E. paniculata, E. botryoides, E. pellita, E. propinqua and E. resinifera.