The objective of this study was to evaluate the relation of airborne released conidia of Cercospora kikuchii [cercospora leaf blight of soybean (Glycine max)] with the disease intensity and some environmental factors [temperature, relative humidity (RH), precipitation and leaf wetness period) under experimental field conditions in Brasília, DF, Brazil. The evaluation was from November to March of 2006/07 and 2007/08. Data for the amount of airborne conidia were collected using a Burkard's seven-day volumetric spore trap set in a field with soybean. Most of the conidia were collected during the day, with over 60% of the spores collected between 8h and 15h. Climatic data varied according to the crop period, but for both periods the highest amount of spores occurred with reduction of precipitation and leaf wetness period. RH above 80% and temperature from 20 to 24°C were more favorable to capture of conidia and disease intensity. For both crop period of evaluation the major amount of spores were collected when plant stage was R6-R7, as well as, disease intensity increased after beginning of reproductive stage of soybean. Although the number of captured conidia in the 2006/07 crop period was higher than in 2007/08, the variation of fluctuation of airborne spores occurred similarly.
Cercospora leaf blight; Glycine max; environmental factors
