Murcha De Ceratocystis, Nova Doença Do Cupuaçuzeiro

Abstract

Ceratocystis wilt, a new disease of the cupuassu tree, in Brazil. The cupuassu tree (Theobroma grandiflorum), native of the Amazon region, is cultivated mainly in the states of Para, Amazonas, Acre and Bahia, Brazil. In Bahia, it has been planted in the same municipalities were cacao is grown, especially, in the region known as Baixo Sul. During fitossanitary inspections carried out in one area at the Cacao Research Center (CEPEC), in Ilheus, BA, cultivated with cupuassu, trees showing symptoms of wilting, chlorosis and leaf drying, in addition to canker and necrosis of the stem, were observed. Ceratocystis fimbriata was the fungus, predominately, isolated in PDA medium in all the attempts using necrotic tissues obtained from the stem. Histopathological studies, done at the optical microscope, showed the presence of mycelia and chlamydospores of the fungus in the xylem vessels. Three-and 8-month-old cacao and cupuassu seedlings inoculated with the fungus started exhibiting the disease symptoms 20 and 40 days later, respectively. The fungus was re-isolated from inoculated plants in all the attempts. This is the first record of ceratocystis wilt disease in cupuassu tree.