Management of Cercospora species associated with the pink spot of guava.

• Grant number: 25/04692-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Thaís Regina Boufleur
• Grantee: Giulianna Vestri
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The guava tree (Psidium guajava L.) is a fruit species of great economic importance, widely cultivated in Brazil. In recent years, Brazilian producers have reported the occurrence of pink spot, a fungal disease recently diagnosed in the country, caused by Cercospora spp., which compromises the quality and marketing of the fruits. The disease manifests through pink lesions on the surface of the fruits, accelerating their ripening and decay. Studies indicate that environmental factors such as temperature and humidity significantly influence infection. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the germination of spores from four isolates of Cercospora spp. at different temperatures and wetting periods, as well as to analyze their sensitivity to fungicides. The experiments will be conducted in vitro, allowing for the determination of optimal conditions for infection and the effectiveness of different active ingredients in controlling the pathogen. The effective concentration (EC50) will be used to classify fungal sensitivity to the fungicides. It is expected that the results will contribute to more efficient management of pink spot, combining chemical and biological strategies sustainably, reducing environmental impacts and preventing fungal resistance. (AU)