Ceratocystis wilt caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata is currently one of the most important diseases affecting Eucalyptus in Brazil. This disease is controlled by planting resistant clones; however, possible variability in the pathogen population may compromise the selection of resistant genotypes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the aggressiveness of C. fimbriata isolates obtained from Eucalyptus spp, as well as their cultural characteristics and genetic variation of their ITS rDNA gene region. We found a significant isolate 9 clone interaction, with the isolate RM35 being the most aggressive and presenting a broader spectrum of aggressiveness, causing greater xylem discoloration on a larger number of clones. This isolate is the most suitable for artificial inoculations focusing on the selection of resistant materials. Clones CLR-236 and CLR-212 were identified as the most resistant and clones CLR-223 and CLR-240 as the most susceptible and those that are recommended as reliable comparators in artificial inoculations. All isolates were morphologically similar and differed from C. fimbriata from sweet potato by the formation of a wide mouth endoconidiophore that produces doliform endoconidia. According to the culture media and temperature applied, the most favourable conditions for mycelial growth were observed using malt extract agar (MEA) and temperatures ranging from 24 to 26°C. There was no correlation between sporulation and aggressiveness. Great variation in ITS sequences was observed, and a total of five ITS genotypes were identified among the ten isolates tested.

a b s t r a c tCeratocystis fimbriata Ellis & Halsted recently was recorded causing seed and seedling blight on Carapa guianensis Aubl. (andiroba), a tree species native to the Amazon Rainforest and prized for its valuable timber and medicinal seed oil. C. fimbriata more commonly causes wilt type diseases in woody hosts, especially on non-native host trees. However, on andiroba the disease occurs on seedlings and seeds, affecting the species regeneration. We studied 73 isolates of C. fimbriata on andiroba from three regions of the Amazon Basin to see if they represented natural or introduced populations. Analysis of ITS rDNA sequences and phylogenetic analysis of mating type genes revealed new haplotypes of C. fimbriata from the Latin American Clade that were closely related to other Brazilian populations of the fungus. In mating experiments, andiroba isolates were inter-fertile with tester strains of C. fimbriata from Brazil and elsewhere, confirming that they belong to a single biological species. Using microsatellite markers, 14 genotypes and populations with intermediate levels of genetic variability were found, suggesting that the fungus is indigenous to the Amazon Basin. Inoculation tests indicated that the andiroba isolates are host-specialized on andiroba, supporting the proposition of the special form C. fimbriata f. sp. carapa.

Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) is native to southern China, but was first cultivated in New Zealand and then spread worldwide. Emerging diseases such as ceratocystis wilt have attracted the attention of kiwifruit growers due to the great losses observed in southern Brazil. Effective control can be achieved by screening for resistance, but the genetic variability of the pathogen must be considered. Thus, this study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and variation in aggressiveness of Ceratocystis isolates from kiwifruit in southern Brazil and then evaluate the resistance of kiwifruit cultivars with the most aggressive isolates. A collection of 46 isolates were obtained from southern Brazil and 14 simple‐sequence repeat (SSR) markers was successfully used for genotyping. Out of 14 markers, 13 were polymorphic and identified 26 genotypes. Fourteen distinct genotypes were tested on a susceptible cultivar to select the most aggressive ones. Finally, inoculation with an equal mixture of five of the most aggressive isolates was used to evaluate the resistance of seven kiwifruit cultivars: Red Arguta, Green Arguta, Allison, Chieftain, Hayward, Monty, and Tomury. Cultivars varied in levels of susceptibility, with disease severity ranging from 40% to 100%. Considering the length of stem lesions, Chieftain showed the lowest level of severity at 40%, while no wilt symptoms were observed at 45 days after inoculation. In addition to the seven cultivars, a half‐sibling progeny with 618 plants of the rootstock cv. Bruno was also assessed, but only seven individuals were resistant. These seven plants can be cloned and used as resistant rootstocks in commercial orchards.

-This study aims to evaluate non-linear stem taper models for predicting the pre-commercial diameter of eucalyptus trees and to analyze the effect of genotype on stem taper. The treatments comprise three different genotypes of Eucalyptus sp. in a 3 × 3 m plantation spacing. Seventy sample trees aged 10 years were felled for each treatment. The outside bark diameter measurements were taken at 0.5 m; 1.0 m; 1.5 m; 2.0 m, and then at intervals of 2.0 m till the top of the stem. Four non-linear models were evaluated, namely, the sigmoid model of Garay (1979), the variable exponent model of Kozak (1988), the segmented model of Max and Burkhart (1976), and the compatible model of Demaerschalk (1972). The performance of the models was assessed using the following statistical validation methods: correlation coefficient, standard error of estimate, mean bias, bias variance, root mean squared error, and mean absolute deviation. Graphical analysis of residues was used to evaluate the accuracy and precision of the estimates. Compared with other models, the variable exponent model of Kozak (1988) best described the stem profile, and predicted the total volume of the trees. The identity test showed that the stem profile is affected by the genotype.Keywords: Regression analysis; Variable exponent model; Genotypes AVALIAÇÃO DE FUNÇÕES DE AFILAMENTO NÃO-LINEARES PARA ESTIMAÇÃO DE DIÂMETROS COMERCIAIS EM ÁRVORES DE EUCALIPTORESUMO -Este trabalho teve como objetivo a escolha de um modelo de afilamento para melhor estimar o perfil médio de árvores de diferentes clones de eucalipto, verificando se uma mesma função pode ser empregada para três genótipos distintos de eucalipto. Os tratamentos consistiram em diferentes clones de eucalipto plantados sob o espaçamento de 3 x 3 m. Para cada tratamento foram abatidas cerca de 70 árvores-amostra aos 10 anos de idade. Os diâmetros das seções ao longo do fuste foram medidos a partir da base em 0.5 m; 1.0 m; 1.5 m; 2.0 m e, a partir daí, em intervalos de 2.0 m. Foram testados quatro modelos não-lineares: Garay (1979), Kozak (1988), Max e Burkhart (1976) e Demaerschalk (1972). As estatísticas utilizadas para avaliar os ajustes foram: coeficiente de correlação entre diâmetros observados e estimados, erro-padrão residual, bias (média dos erros), variância do bias, raiz quadrada do erro quadrático médio e a média das diferenças absolutas. O modelo escolhido para representar os tratamentos, pela melhor performance de ajuste, foi o de Kozak (1988). Testes de identidade de modelo foram aplicados para verificar igualdade no formato do fuste entre os tratamentos. Com base nos resultados, a hipótese de igualdade na forma do fuste dos genótipos foi rejeitada, ao nível de 5% de significância. Assim, pôde-se concluir, que existe efeito do genótipo no afilamento do fuste de eucalipto.Palavras-Chave: Análise de Regressão; Equação expoente-forma; Genótipo.

O objetivo foi analisar a capacidade de manutenção da umidade do solo sob diferentes coberturas vegetais (eucalipto, mata nativa e pastagem) em estágio maduro de desenvolvimento em uma bacia hidrográfica na Zona da Mata de Minas Gerais. Três amostras compostas deformadas de solo por parcela foram coletadas nas profundidades de 0-10 e 10-20 cm para análise da matéria orgânica e das propriedades físicas dos solos (textura, porosidade total, densidade de solo e densidade de partículas). A umidade foi monitorada através de amostras de solo, nas profundidades avaliadas, a cada sete dias, durante cinco semanas. O solo sob plantio de eucalipto apresentou os menores valores de densidade de solo e de partículas, em comparação aos solos sob pastagem e mata nativa. A mata nativa apresentou maior contribuição na formação de matéria orgânica do solo (MOS). O eucalipto foi a cobertura vegetal que melhor reteve umidade do solo, seguido da mata nativa e pastagem (eucalipto > mata nativa > pastagem). O manejo inadequado da pastagem afeta negativamente o conteúdo de matéria orgânica e a capacidade de manutenção da umidade no solo. Plantios de eucalipto, quando bem manejados, favorecem o incremento de matéria orgânica no solo, aumentando a capacidade de retenção de água.