Sanitary analysis, transmissibility and pathogenicity of fungi associated with cashew nuts

There are few reports of transmission of fungus associated with cashew nuts (Anacardium occidentale L.) in Brazil and worldwide. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and severity of anthracnose on leaves and fruits (nuts) of cashew, nuts sanitary analysis, nuts-seedling transmission and pathogenicity of fungi associated with cashew nuts. To this end, leaves and nuts of cashew collected in the cities of Gurupi and Formoso do Araguaia, Tocantins state, Brazil, were used. The anthracnose average incidence and disease index were evaluated by observing the typical symptoms of the disease. The nuts were subjected to sanity analysis, by the filter paper method and transmission test via nuts for the seedlings. High anthracnose incidence and severity were observed in leaves and cashews nuts. Aspergillus sp. Cladosporium sp. and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides showed high incidence in all nuts samples analyzed. There was high anthracnose transmission by the nuts for the seedlings. Only C. gloeosporioides was pathogenic to cashew seedlings. Higher germination rates were observed with lower levels of lesions on the external surface. The fungal association with cashews nuts damaged generally normal seedlings development and quality. Key words: Anacardium occidentale, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, anthracnose, sanitary analysis.