CARACTERIZAÇÃO E PATOGENICIDADE DE ISOLADOS DE Fusarium spp. CAUSADORES DE PODRIDÃO-DE-RAÍZES DA ERVA-MATE

Characterization and pathogenicity of Fusarium spp. isolates causing erva-mate root-rot. One of the main diseases of erva-mate ( Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.), in nursery and mainly in plantations , is the root-rot, caused by Fusarium sp. The disease control depends on correct diagnosi s of causal agent and molecular and morphological characteristics all ow diagnosing the pathogen. This work aims to determine morphological and molecular characteristi cs of six Fusarium spp. isolates from diseased erva-mate plantations. In order to that, pure colon ies grown on PDA and FCA environment were analyzed in relation to form and structure, under o ptical and stereoscopic microscope. The DNA extraction of each isolated was performed from mycelium produced on PD liquid medium by CTAB method. The samples of DNA genomic were submitted to Polymerase Chain Reaction with the universal primers ITS1 and ITS4 and the final produ ct was sequenced. Among the Fusarium spp. isolates analyzed two species were found: F. solani and F. oxysporum , all pathogenic and with low genetic variability within species.