Black Crust Complex: Influence of Temperature and Period of Wetness on the Development of Fungi in Hevea brasiliensis

Author(s)

Dos Anjos, Louyne Varini Santos ; Antonio, Gabriel Leonardi ; Fischer, Ivan Herman ; Goncalves, Elaine Cristine Piffer ; Scaloppi, Erivaldo Jose ; Furtado, Edson Luiz ; de Oliveira, Thais Lopes ; Bello, Heloisa Noemi ; Firmino, Ana Carolina

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLANTS-BASEL; v. 13, n. 13, p. 18-pg., 2024-07-01.

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the development of Davidiella sp. and its asexual form, Cladosporium sp., under different environmental conditions in the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Rubber tree leaves were inoculated with a spore suspension and kept in a humid chamber under different temperatures and wetness periods. The behavior of the fungi was evaluated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an ultraviolet light microscope (UV). In the images obtained in SEM, four hours after inoculation of the fungus, it was possible to verify the germination and penetration of conidia at temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees C. The formation of conidiophores was verified from six hours after inoculation, indicating that it is in the reproductive period. In the sexual phase, in SEM, from four hours after inoculation, it was possible to verify the formation of small protuberances at temperatures between 10 and 20 degrees C. These black dots evolve into circular, protruding black spots, like the symptoms of black crust, with apparent spore formation on them. The data obtained from the UV analyses corroborate those from SEM, showing that the fungus has good development in its two phases between temperatures of 20 and 25 degrees C and that the period of wetness on the leaf can contribute to the initial development of the pathogen. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/11518-4 - Black crust on rubber tree: causal agent, environmental influence on pre-penetration in different rubber tree clones, selection of resistant clones and biological control in susceptible clones
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Firmino
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants