Diplodia species are known as pathogens on many woody hosts, including fruit trees, worldwide. In this study a collection of Diplodia isolates obtained mostly from apple and other Rosaceae hosts were identified based on morphological characters and DNA sequence data from ITS and EF1-α loci. The results show that the diversity of species associated with twig and branch cankers and fruit rot of apples is larger than previously recognised. Four species were identified, namely D. seriata and D. malorum (which is here reinstated for isolates with D. mutila-like conidia). Diplodia intermedia sp. nov. is closely related to D. seriata, and D. bulgarica sp. nov. is morphologically and phylogenetically distinct from all Diplodia species reported from apples.

Susceptibility of cupuassu and other plant species to isolates of Crinipellis perniciosa obtained from four different hosts in the South of BahiaCross inoculations were performed to evaluate the reaction of cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum), cacao (Theobroma cacao), patashte (Theobroma bicolor) and jurubeba (Solanum paniculatum) to the inocula of Crinipellis perniciosa obtained from each of these host species. Basidiospores were obtained from basidiomata produced on dried brooms and/or diseased dried pods from each host collected in the south of Bahia. Inoculations were made by depositing a 20µl droplet of a 5 x 10 5 suspension of basidiospores of C. perniciosa on the terminal bud and on the hypocotile region (cupuassu) of each seedling. After inoculation the plants were kept in a moist chamber for 24 h under a temperature of 25 + 1 o C and at approximately 100% humidity. Symptoms were evaluated until 60 days after inoculation. The experimental design was completely randomized with 20 treatments and four replications of ten plants each. Cacao and patashte were susceptible to inocula obtained from all species used. Jurubeba was susceptible only to inoculum produced in its own species or in cacao. Cupuassu seedlings presented symptoms when inoculated with basidiospores produced from cupuassu, patashte and cacao. Inoculum obtained from cacao brooms was the most infective to all hosts. INTRODUÇÃOA vassoura-de-bruxa, causada pelo fungo Crinipellis perniciosa (Stahel) Singer, é a mais importante doença do cacaueiro (Theobroma cacao L.), na Bahia, na Amazônia brasileira e nos demais países onde ocorre (Luz et al., 1997)

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