In vitro evaluation of the effect of methanol and dichloromethane-based extracts of beach-cast seaweeds in Colletotrichum acutatum isolates

• Grant number: 21/10180-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2021
• End date: November 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Maria Candida de Godoy Gasparoto
• Grantee: Antonio Gabriel Pontes dos Reis
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus do Vale do Ribeira. Registro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In agriculture, the Colletotrichum genus infects various fruit orchards. In São Paulo State, citrus plants can be infected by this fungal genus, and it is affected mainly by Postbloom fruit drop (PFD) caused by species of the same genus: Colletotrichum acutatum sensu lato (C. abscissum) and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The first species is more prevalent in São Paulo State orchards. The high frequency of fungicide application to control PFD, and the low number of registered products, which have the same mode of action, can result in more residues in the environment, and the selection of fungicide-resistant pathogens in the field. Previous studies verified the effect of algae extracts on different phytopathogenic fungi, making it possible an alternative for PFD control. A seaweed group demonstrates advantages to control plant disease due to its high availability in nature and its easy access and harvesting: beach-cast seaweeds. The objective of this study is to evaluate in vitro effect of methanol and dichloromethane-based extracts of beach-cast seaweeds in two Colletotrichum acutatum isolates. The experiments will evaluate the efficiency of the extracts to control mycelial growth, sporulation, conidial germination, and secondary conidial production of the fungal isolates. (AU)