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We report the discovery that the earwig predator Doru luteipes (Scudder, 1876) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) feed on Puccinia polysora Underw uredospore, the causal agent of Southern Rust of Corn (SRC), which is a primary disease affecting the maize crop in Brazil. We performed experiments in laboratory and greenhouse to test the effect of D. luteipes (1st/2nd and 3rd/4th instars, and adults) fungivory on the P. polysora uredospore concentration. All trials showed a significant reduction of the initial concentration of uredospore. There was a reduction in uredospore concentration with increase in number of D. luteipes feeding on them. We also tested the uredospore consumption by quantifying its percentage in the feces of D. luteipes. Nymphs of the 2nd, 4th instar and adults fed 88%, 85%, and 83.8% of the uredospore, respectively. For nymphs of the 3rd instar, the percentage of uredospore consumption (75.6%) was statistically significant compared with the other groups. In greenhouse experiment, at twenty-eight days after plant inoculation with 9.9 x 104 uredospores, the percentage of uredospore consumption was 81.7%. Our results confirmed the fungivory of D. luteipes on P. polysora uredospore. This is the first report of D. luteipes fungivory, which may play an important role in the biological control of P. polysora in corn. Resumo Relatamos a descoberta de que o predador Doru luteipes (Scudder, 1876) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) se alimenta de uredosporos de Puccinia polysora Underw, o agente causal da ferrugem polisora que é uma doença primária que afeta a cultura do milho no Brasil. Realizamos experimentos em laboratório e em casa de vegetação para testar o efeito da fungivoria de D. luteipes (1º/2º e 3º/4º iìstares e adultos) sobre a concentração de uredosporos de P. polysora. Todos os ensaios mostraram uma redução significativa da concentração inicial de uredosporos. Houve uma redução na concentração de uredosporos com o aumento do número de D. luteipes alimentando-se deles. Também testamos o consumo de uredosporos quantificando sua porcentagem nas fezes de D. luteipes. Ninfas do 2º e 4º ínstar, assim como adultos, alimentaram-se de 88%, 85% e 83,8% dos uredosporos, respectivamente. Para ninfas do 3º ínstar, a porcentagem de consumo de uredosporos (75,6%) foi estatisticamente significativo em comparação com os outros grupos. No experimento em casa de vegetação, aos 28 dias após a inoculação das plantas com 9,9 x 104 uredosporos, a porcentagem de consumo de uredosporos foi de 81,7%. Nossos resultados confirmaram a fungivoria de D. luteipes em uredosporos de P. polysora. Este é o primeiro relato de fungivoria de D. luteipes, que pode ter papel importante no controle biológico de P. polysora em milho.

Integrating plant density and nitrogen (N) management is a strategy for improving corn yields, especially for off-season corn production in the tropics. This study tested the hypothesis that increasing plant densities and N rates promotes yield gains for off-season corn production in high-yielding environments. The aim of the study was to investigate the yield performances of two hybrid versions (DKB PRO and DKB PRO3) submitted to three plant densities (55,000; 65,000 and 75,000 plants ha−1) and four N rates (control, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha−1 N). Field trials were undertaken at Uberlândia-MG (site1 and 2) and Pedro Afonso-TO (site 3), Brazil from which data on corn yield parameters were collected and analyzed. Multivariate analysis separated the three trial areas into two groups, presenting high (sites 1 and 2) and low yields (site 3), which were related to weather conditions. There was no influence of a hybrid version or plant densities on crop yields at site 1 or 2. In contrast, there was a positive response to increasing plant densities and the use of DKB PRO3 at site 3. A significant response to N was observed at sites 2 and 3, following a plateau model. Our results suggest that N application rates and plant densities do have the potential to increase off-season corn yields in low yielding environments. Made available in DSpace on 2019-05-15T00:32:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CNPASA2019sa.pdf: 842784 bytes, checksum: d219add8dd86dd7f87953f3e2e34b6fe (MD5) Previous issue date: 2019

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência da aplicação foliar de fungicidas na redução da incidência de patógenos fúngicos, de grãos ardidos e de fumonisinas totais em grãos de milho (Zea mays). Foram conduzidos três ensaios: um no município de Luís Eduardo Magalhães, na Bahia, e dois em Sete Lagoas, em Minas Gerais, nas safras 2010/2011 e 2011/2012, com cultivo de diferentes híbridos comerciais. Os seguintes fungicidas foram aplicados zero, uma e duas vezes: picoxistrobina + ciproconazol, piraclostrobina + epoxiconazole, trifloxistrobina + tebuconazole, azoxistrobina + ciproconazol e tiofanato metílico. Em todos os ensaios, foram realizados a quantificação da incidência de grãos ardidos, o teste de patologia de sementes e a quantificação dos teores de fumonisinas totais. Não foi observada diferença significativa para os fatores fungicida e número de aplicações, exceto para rendimento de grãos, em todos os ensaios. Esses resultados são indicativos da ineficiência da aplicação de fungicidas na redução da incidência de patógenos fúngicos, de grãos ardidos e dos teores de fumonisinas totais em grãos de milho. Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate fungicide leaf application on the reduction of fungal pathogen incidence, kernel rot, and total fumonisins in corn (Zea mays) kernels. Three experiments were performed: one in the municipality of Luís Eduardo Magalhães, in the state of Bahia, and two in the municipality of Sete Lagoas, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, during the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 crop seasons, with planting of different commercial hybrids. The following fungicides were applied zero, one, and two times: picoxystrobin + cyproconazole, pyraclostrobin + epoxiconazole, trifloxystrobin + tebuconazole, azoxystrobin + cyproconazole, and thiophanate-methyl. For all trials, the quantification of kernel rot incidence, the grain pathology test, and the quantification of total fumonisins were performed. No significant difference was observed for the factors fungicide and number of applications, except for grain yield, in all trials. These results show the ineffectiveness of fungicide applications in reducing fungi incidence, kernel rot, and levels of total fumonisins in corn kernels.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the incidence of corn stunt disease and its effects on the grain yield of off-season corn (Zea mays) hybrids in different sowing seasons. The experiment was conducted in three sites in the state of Tocantins, in different sowing seasons, in a randomized complete block design, with 30 hybrids (treatments) and three replicates. Corn stunt disease incidence was assessed at 80 days after emergence, varying between hybrids and sowing seasons, with a marked effect of sowing season. The most resistant hybrids were: MG652 PW, Penta VIP, MG600 PW, NS90 PRO2, LG3040 VIP3, MG580 PW, and Defender VIP. The Fórmula VIP2 hybrid was the most susceptible to corn stunt disease. The incidence of the disease increased in the later sowing seasons, causing significant declines in grain yield. The most productive hybrids were: MG580 PW, SYN 5T78 VIP, 2B810 PRO, MG600 PW, Supremo VIP, 2B512 PW, NS92 PRO2, P30S31 VYH, MG652 PW, Penta VIP, SX5371 VIP3, and LG6036 PRO. Corn hybrids vary greatly in their resistance to corn stunt disease, and, the later the sowing season, the higher the disease incidence and the lower the grain yield. Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a incidência de enfezamentos e os seus efeitos na produtividade de híbridos de milho (Zea mays) safrinha em diferentes épocas de semeadura. O experimento foi conduzido em três locais no Estado do Tocantins, em épocas de semeadura distintas, em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com 30 híbridos (tratamentos) e três repetições. A incidência de enfezamentos foi avaliada aos 80 dias após emergência, tendo variado entre híbridos e épocas de semeadura, com efeito pronunciado da época de semeadura. Os híbridos mais resistentes foram: MG652 PW, Penta VIP, MG600 PW, NS90 PRO2, LG3040 VIP3, MG580 PW e Defender VIP. O híbrido Fórmula VIP2 foi o mais suscetível aos enfezamentos. A incidência da doença aumentou nas épocas de semeadura mais tardias, com redução significativa da produtividade de grãos. Os híbridos mais produtivos foram: MG580 PW, SYN 5T78 VIP, 2B810 PRO, MG600 PW, Supremo VIP, 2B512 PW, NS92 PRO2, P30S31 VYH, MG652 PW, Penta VIP, SX5371 VIP3 e LG6036 PRO. Os híbridos de milho variam muito na sua resistência aos enfezamentos, e, quanto mais tardia a semeadura, maior a incidência da doença e menor a produtividade de grãos.

Maize stalk rot can lead to major corn yield losses in Brazil and worldwide. Maize stalks exhibiting tiny black specks or light brown lesions were collected in the city of Luis Eduardo Magalhaes. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular assays, the fungus was identified as Lasiodiplodia brasiliense. This is the first report of maize stalk rot caused by L. brasiliense.

The objective of this study was to assess whether the source of Colletotrichum graminicola isolates (leaves or stalks) affects anthracnose leaf blight (ALB) and anthracnose stalk rot (ASR) development. Ten greenhouse experiments were conducted, five to evaluate ALB and five to evaluate ASR, each using a distinct commercial maize hybrid varying in reaction to the diseases. A collection of 20 isolates, 10 recovered from symptomatic leaves, and ten from symptomatic stalks, were inoculated on the five hybrids. Maize leaves were inoculated 15 days after planting and ALB was evaluated 15 days after inoculation. Stalks were inoculated at pretasseling and ASR evaluated 30 days later. Both ALB and ASR were assessed using a 0–5 ordinal scale. No differences in ALB and ASR severity were observed between the two groups of isolates regardless of hybrid based on the non-parametric test. The ability of C. graminicola to infect and cause anthracnose on any part of the maize plant seemed to not depend on the source of the isolate Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-09T00:08:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Colletotrichumgraminicola1.pdf: 487050 bytes, checksum: ab301efb9fc23bbc3f95042ed0c5a4ab (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-01-25

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of genotype rotation as a sustainable management strategy for the control of foliar anthracnose of sorghum. Three grain sorghum hybrids, one susceptible (BR 304) and two resistant to anthracnose (1G150 and DAS740) were tested in continuous planting and genotype rotation during seven growing seasons. The area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) of sorghum anthracnose severity was significantly lower in the genotype rotation than in the continuous planting. The disease severity in the susceptible genotype BR 304 in rotation with the resistant genotypes 1G150 or DAS740 decreased about 42% and 70% respectively, compared to its continuous planting. A significant reduction of leaf blight disease severity caused by Exserohilum turcicum in DAS740 planted rotated with BR 304 was also observed. The grain yields of the three genotypes were significantly higher in the rotation system compared to continuous planting. The genotype rotation can be considered a practical management strategy for reducing the impact of anthracnose and other diseases in sorghum.

Sorghum anthracnose is one of the most important and destructive diseases of sorghum. Genetic resistance has been the most efficient strategy to control the disease, but the high variability of the pathogen population in Brazil has resulted in only modest efficacy. Accordingly, we investigated the variability of Colletotrichum sublineolum in response to sorghum populations with three levels of genetic diversity: pure stand, three-way hybrids and physical mixtures of three-way hybrids. Six plots of each treatment were planted in different areas and at different dates. A total of 480 isolates, that is 40 single-conidium isolates per plot, were collected from the field experiment to characterize the variability of the pathogen in each host population. Isolates were inoculated in a greenhouse on a differential line set composed of eight sorghum inbred lines. Our results reveal that the pathogen populations derived from three-way combinations had higher pathotype diversity than did those derived from pure stand host populations. More complexly, virulent phenotypes were also developed in genetically diverse stands compared to pure stand host populations. The diversification of the host population limits pathogen adaptation, thus resulting in a significantly higher number of pathotypes. The results of this study will improve the management of sorghum anthracnose in the field by helping sorghum breeders maintain disease resistance.

Transposable elements are ubiquitous and constitute an important source of genetic variation in addition to generating deleterious mutations. Several filamentous fungi are able to defend against transposable elements using RIP(repeat-induced point mutation)-like mechanisms, which induce mutations in duplicated sequences. The sequenced Colletotrichum graminicola genome and the availability of transposable element databases provide an efficient approach for identifying and characterizing transposable elements in this fungus, which was the subject of this study. We identified 132 full-sized Tc1-Mariner transposable elements in the sequenced C. graminicola genome, which were divided into six families. Several putative transposases that have been found in these elements have conserved DDE motifs, but all are interrupted by stop codons. An in silico analysis showed evidence for RIP-generated mutations. The TCg1 element, which was cloned from the Brazilian 2908 m isolate, has a putative transposase sequence with three characteristic conserved motifs. However, this sequence is interrupted by five stop codons. Genomic DNA from various isolates was analyzed by hybridization with an internal region of TCg1. All of the isolates featured transposable elements that were similar to TCg1, and several hybridization profiles were identified. C. graminicola has many Tc1-Mariner transposable elements that have been degenerated by characteristic RIP mutations. It is unlikely that any of the characterized elements are autonomous in the sequenced isolate. The possible existence of active copies in field isolates from Brazil was shown. The TCg1 element is present in several C. graminicola isolates and is a potentially useful molecular marker for population studies of this phytopathogen.

Toxigenic fungi that infect corn grains are among the major problems in Brazil as they are associated with toxicological implications for both humans and animals. Mechanical-physical methods have been used to separate contaminated grains in lots of corn kernels based on the symptoms caused by fungi. The objective of this study was to assess whether the presence or the type of symptoms were associated with fungal incidence and total fumonisin levels in corn kernel samples from the field. Kernels of two hybrids were separated visually into three groups: 1) asymptomatic or symptomatic exhibiting 2) kernel rot or 3) kernel streak symptoms. A high frequency of Fusarium spp. was observed in asymptomatic (69.5%) and kernel rot (69.9%). Stenocarpella sp. and Penicillium sp. were found in kernel rot (16.0%) and kernel streak (44.1%), respectively. High fumonisin levels (7.24 μg.g-1), above the maximum tolerated limit, were detected only in kernel rot. No association between fumonisin levels and the frequency of Fusarium spp. in kernels was found. Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-24T19:54:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Symptomalogicalaspects.pdf: 3180767 bytes, checksum: 57fd4ca890fbb919fa4c09684ecdef9e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-07-03

In maize, the fungi that cause Fusarium ear rot result not only in decreased grain yield and quality, but also grain contamination by fumonisin. This study investigated the inheritance of fumonisin contamination resistance (FCR) in tropical maize, based on a multi-environment trials diallel analysis via mixed models. For this purpose, based on 13 inbred lines, single-cross hybrids were created and assessed in three environments. A mixed model diallel joint analysis across environments was performed, considering the existence of environment-specific variances and correlations between pairs of environments for general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects, and additive genomic relationship between inbred lines for the prediction of GCA and SCA. For all environments, the SCA variance had a higher magnitude than the GCA variance, indicating a predominance of the dominance effects underlying FCR in tropical maize. Moreover, the proportion of the variance among single-cross hybrids that was due to GCA varied from 16 to 22 % across environments, suggesting that SCA is important to predict the hybrids performance. Through modeling variance–covariance structures for GCA and SCA, it was possible to observe that the GCA effects were stable, whereas the SCA effects were specific for each environment. Therefore, these results suggest that the selection of the best parents for the development of new inbred lines can be carried out through the average performance across the evaluated environments. Due to the importance of SCA effects and their complex interaction with environments, the selection of superior hybrids should be performed into specific environments.

A mancha branca é uma das principais doenças da cultura do milho no Brasil na atualidade. Dentre as medidas recomendadas para o controle da mancha branca, a resistência genética e o uso de fungicidas são as mais utilizadas pelos produtores. No entanto, relatos de baixa eficiência de controle com diferentes grupos químicos têm sido frequentes, o que tem gerado dúvidas quanto à sua eficiência no controle dessa doença em condição de campo. No presente trabalho, foram conduzidos quatro ensaios, em condição de campo, utilizando-se cultivares com diferentes níveis de resistência ou suscetibilidade à mancha branca do milho. Foi avaliada a eficiência de diferentes grupos químicos de fungicidas no manejo da mancha branca do milho em diferentes números de aplicações. Com os resultados obtidos, verificou-se que os fungicidas do grupo das estrobilurinas foram os que apresentaram maior eficiência no controle da doença. Os fungicidas triazóis, carbendazim, o tiofanato metílico e os antiobióticos oxitetraciclina e kasugamicina apresentaram baixa eficiência de controle.

Fumonisins and zearalenone are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium spp. that commonly contaminate maize and its derivative products. Recent reports have shown that fumonisin B2 and B4 might also be produced by Aspergillus niger and Tolypocladum species, although their prevalence in maize is for sure connected to Fusarium species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of fumonisins and zearalenone in maize, stored in 10 family farms located in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Samples were collected in four periods, at intervals of two months, totalling 40 samples. Mycotoxins were isolated using commercial immunoaffinity columns and its concentrations were evaluated by fluorometric technique. Fumonisins were detected in all 40 samples, with values ranging from 230 to 6450 μg kg −1 , and zearalenone was detected in 38 maize samples, with levels from 1.8 to 99 μg kg −1 . Zearalenone levels were below the acceptable limit for human consumption but the fumonisins levels were above this limit in most samples, implying in risks to consumers' health.

The anthracnose stalk rot of corn (ASR), caused by Colletotrichum graminicola, is a major disease of this crop and occurs in most Brazilian regions where corn is grown. Despite its widespread occurrence, there are no estimates of the effect of ASR on the yield of corn under the Brazilian conditions. In this study, we evaluated the effect of ASR on corn hybrids yield. Two experiments were conducted (first crop 2007/2008 and second crop, 2009) in areas with a history of occurrence of leaf anthracnose and ASR. Five hybrids were evaluated in the first and second crops: AG1051, BRS 1001, BRS 1010, BRS 1035, P30F80 and BRS 1010, 2B710, P30F80, DKB390, BRS 1035, respectively. At harvest, we evaluated the incidence of plants with anthracnose stalk rot (IPASR), and we selected pairs of healthy and diseased plants to quantify the effect of ASR in the ear weight (EW), grain weight (GW) and the weight of a sample containing 100 kernels (W100). The IPASR was higher in the hybrid BRS 1010 (21.87 and 45.28%, first and second crops, respectively). The EW, GW and W100 were lower in diseased plants in all hybrids. The mean weight loss in the first season was EW 29.03%, GW 27.83% and W100 17.08%, and the second season was EW 27.75%, GW 25.60% and W100 16.99%. The most affected hybrids with weight loss in the first crop were AG1051 (EW 34.31%, GW 33.05%, W100 19.96%) and BRS 1035 (EW 34.74%, GW 34.65%, W100 22.31%). In the second crop, were P30F80 (EW 30.72%, GW 30.92%, W100 19.24%), DKB390 (EW 30.61%, GW 29.81%) and 2B710 (W100 19.27%). Corn yield was strongly affected by ASR.

Resumo: Nos últimos anos, grande ênfase tem sido dada ao uso de fungicidas para o manejo de doenças foliares na cultura do milho no Brasil. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo a realização de uma análise da viabilidade técnica e econômica da aplicação de fungicidas no rendimento de cultivares de milho em diferentes regiões produtoras. Foram conduzidos experimentos para avaliação do efeito da aplicação de fungicidas no rendimento de diferentes cultivares de milho, em três localidades: Sete Lagoas (MG), Londrina (PR) e Rio Verde (GO). Foram consideradas a não aplicação, uma e duas aplicações de fungicidas em cada cultivar. Foram avaliadas a severidade das doenças foliares e o rendimento de cada cultivar. Os resultados de rendimento das cultivares tratadas com fungicidas apresentaram elevada inconsistência em condições de baixa severidade de doenças. Maior frequência de rendimentos positivos e benefício econômico ocorreu quando as aplicações de fungicida foram realizadas em condição de elevada pressão de doença. Mais estudos são necessários para o melhor entendimento do efeito dos fungicidas do grupo das estrobilurinas na fisiologia e na produção de plantas de milho. Abstract: Technical and economic feasibility of strobilurin fungicides application on maize In recent years, great emphasis has been given to the use of fungicides for managing foliar diseases in corn in Brazil. This study aimed to conduct an analysis of technical and economic feasibility of application of fungicides on maize in different growing regions. Trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of fungicides on the yield of different maize cultivars at three locations: Sete Lagoas (state of Minas Gerais), Londrina (state of Paraná) and Rio Verde (state of Goiás). The effect of one and two fungicide applications on each cultivar was evaluated. For each trial, the difference in mean yield and disease severities between treated and untreated plots for each cultivars was compared. For all trials, yield response of cultivars treated with fungicides was highly inconsistent under low disease severity. A higher frequency of positive yields and economic benefit occurred when fungicide applications were made under conditions of high disease pressure. More studies are needed to better clarify the effect of strobilurin fungicides on the physiology and production of corn plants.

Bacteria of the genus Pantoea have become important plant pathogens worldwide in recent years. Pantoea ananatis was reported as the cause of maize white spot, a serious maize disease in Brazil, causing significant yield losses. However, very little information is available about how to detect this pathogen, its genetic variability and the putative alternative hosts in maize-growing areas. To address these issues, we implemented a rapid and efficient PCR-based method to identify P. ananatis isolated from leaves showing white spot symptoms and evaluated its genetic diversity in maize, sorghum and crabgrass. Of the 29 bacteria isolated from typical water-soaked lesions of white spot disease that produced yellow colonies, 15 isolates were identified as P. ananatis by 16S rDNA sequencing and correctly detected by the PCR reaction, amplifying a specific fragment of the ice nucleation gene (ina). These P. ananatis isolates included 13 from maize, one from sorghum and one from crabgrass, while the other 14 yellow colony isolates were from other bacterial species, including two Pantoea species (Pantoea dispersa and Pantoea agglomerans) that were not amplified by the ina primers. These results indicate that the optimized PCR assay can be used to detect P. ananatis isolated from white spot lesions and could be used as a large-scale and cost-effective method of detecting this pathogen in leaf lesions on maize and other grasses. All isolates were evaluated for hypersensitive response (HR) on tobacco, revealing that some P. ananatis were able to induce HR. The high genetic variability revealed by rep-PCR did not differentiated the P. ananatis isolates based on their hosts or HR reaction. The detection, characterization and diversity of P. ananatis from maize, sorghum and crabgrass in our study can be applied in understanding epidemiology and designing control strategies for maize white spot disease in Brazil.

The main objective of this research is to determine the influence of leaf position on corn plants with white spot caused by Pantoea ananatis , which better represents the infection on the whole plant. A diagrammatic scale to quantify the severity of the disease was elaborated and validated. For scale elaboration, the minimal and maximal limits of the disease severity observed in the field were considered, and intermediate levels followed logarithmic increments according to the Weber–Fechner stimulation law. The scale has nine classes: 0.1, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32 and 64%. For scale evaluation, a severity evaluation for white spot was performed by 10 raters with no experience in disease evaluation. Initially, severity estimation was performed without a scale for 41 leaves with different levels of severity. Afterward, the same raters used the proposed diagrammatic scale. Through linear regression to compare the actual and estimate severity values, the raters’ accuracy and precision were analyzed. Satisfactory accuracy and precision were achieved when estimation was performed with a diagrammatic scale. To determine the best leaf disease severity evaluation, correlation and regression analyses were performed with 25 plants of five genotypes, for a total of 284 leaves analyzed. Results analysis leads us to conclude that the severity of white spot on corn plants significantly correlates with the disease mean severity of leaves 0 and -1, i.e., a leaf of the corn ear and the one immediately below it. This scale provided good levels of accuracy and precision (a mean R 2 of 94%), with errors concentrating around 10%. Raters presented increased reproducibility ( R 2 > 90% in 82% of cases) of severity estimates. The proposed diagrammatic scale is considered adequate to estimate the severity of white spot in corn for germplasm evaluations, for epidemiological studies and for evaluation of control strategies for this disease.

A podridão do colmo, causada por Colletotrichum graminicola, é uma das mais severas doenças da cultura do milho no Brasil, principalmente se ocorrer após a fase de florescimento, por causar perdas significativas na produtividade. A melhor alternativa para o controle da doença é a utilização de cultivares geneticamente resistentes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a incidência da podridão de colmo em híbridos comerciais de milho, tendo em vista a pouca disponibilidade de informações que permitam a utilização da resistência genética como estratégia para o controle desta doença. Foram avaliados 18 híbridos comerciais de milho, em três ensaios conduzidos nos anos de 2005, 2006 e 2007 na área experimental da Embrapa Milho e Sorgo, sob condições de inóculo natural. Em cada parcela foram coletados fragmentos do colmo de três plantas, sendo: o segundo entrenó acima do solo, o entrenó de inserção da espiga e o entrenó localizado abaixo do pendão. Quatro fragmentos de cada parte foram desinfestados e transferidos para placas de Petri contendo meio de farinha de aveia - ágar (FAA). As placas foram mantidas em câmara de incubação sob luz fluorescente contínua à temperatura de 25 ºC, seguindo-se a identificação e quantificação do patógeno após três a quatro dias de incubação. As menores incidências (abaixo de 30%) foram observadas nos híbridos BR201 e BR206 e a maior incidência (acima de 60%) detectada no híbrido BRS1010. O patógeno foi detectado em todos os segmentos do colmo analisados, predominando, entretanto, no terço médio superior para a maioria dos híbridos avaliados. Apesar da variação observada entre os genótipos quanto à incidência da antracnose no colmo, nenhum híbrido pôde ser considerado como de altamente resistente ao patógeno. Stalk rot (Colletotrichum graminicola) is one of the most serious disease affecting maize crop in Brazil, especially after the flowering phase, when yield losses can reach significant levels. The use of genetically resistant cultivars is the most efficient strategy to control the disease. The aim of this work was to evaluate the incidence of stalk rot in maize commercial hybrids sinde there is scarce information to allow the use of genetic resistance as a strategy to control this disease. Eighteen maize commercial hybrids were evaluated in 2005, 2006, and 2007 in the experimental area of EMBRAPA Maize and Sorghum Research Center Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, under conditions of natural infection. From each plot, three stalk segments of three plants were sampled: the second internode above the soil line, the internode of ear insertion, and the internode right bellow the tassel. Four tissue fragments of each stalk segment were surface sterilized and transferred to oatmeal agar plates, which were incubated under continuous fluorescent light at 25ºC. Pathogen identification and quantification were performed after three to four days of incubation. The hybrids BR201 and BR206 showed the lowest infection level (below 30%) whereas the highest incidence (above 60%) was observed for the hybrid BRS1010. The pathogen was observed in all analyzed stalk segments, but was most frequently isolated from the internode right below the tassel. No evaluated hybrid could be considered to have high resistance to the pathogen.

Nas condicoes climaticas do estado do Tocantins, os fungos tem sido considerados fatores limitantes a producao de milho ( Zea Mays ), pois o clima da regiao favorece o desenvolvimento de fitopatogenos em diferentes estadios, inclusive durante a maturacao e pos-colheita dos graos de milho. O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar e quantificar os fungos presentes em graos assintomaticos e ardidos de cultivares de milho. Para a analise sanitaria utilizou-se o metodo do papel de filtro (Blotter test). Foram encontrados 12 generos associados aos graos do milho: Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Trichoderma, Bipolaris, Phoma, Curvularia, Rizhopus, Colletotrichum, Papularia e Nigrospora com pouca variacao quanto a diversidade dos generos encontrados em graos ardidos e assintomaticos. Maior incidencia observada foi do genero Fusarium , seguido por Cladosporium , Aspergillus e Penicilium , respectivamente, os quais estavam associados a todos os cultivares avaliados. Os cultivares apresentaram baixa porcentagem de graos ardidos nas condicoes avaliadas.

Adoption of resistant cultivars is the primary measure used to control anthracnose stalk rot. The goal of this study was to identify maize-resistant genotypes to anthracnose stalk rot, which are similar to the hybrid 2B710. Experiments were performed at Embrapa Maize and Sorghum experimental fields in Brazil. The first experimental trial evaluated 234 maize lines as well as two commercials hybrids, BRS1010 (susceptible) and 2B710 (resistant). Artificial inoculations were performed with a strain at the blister (R2) phase, and evaluation of disease severity was performed after 30 days. The second experimental trial evaluated 48 maize lines and hybrids, inoculated with two Colletotrichum graminicola strains. In the first trial, eight resistance groups were formed, and the last lines were more resistant, as was the hybrid 2B710, with values between 11.50% and 23.0% of severity. In the second trial, there was an interaction between the two factors, lines and isolates, and the lines often showed the same reaction features as those obtained in the first trial. However, the disease severity was higher for most lines, even when using other isolates. These lines with effective levels of resistance could be used in future studies of inheritance, in programs to develop hybrids, and to identify molecular markers associated with resistance to anthracnose stalk rot in maize. RESUMO: O uso de cultivares resistentes é a principal medida para o manejo da antracnose do colmo em milho. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se identificar linhagens com níveis de resistência à antracnose do colmo, similar ao híbrido 2B710, considerado resistente. Dois experimentos foram conduzidos na Embrapa Milho e Sorgo. No primeiro experimento, foram avaliados 234 linhagens e os híbridos BRS1010 (suscetível) e 2B710 (resistente). Foi realizada inoculação artificial com um isolado de C. graminicola , na fase de pré-pendoamento e, após 30 dias, foi realizada a avaliação da severidade da antracnose no colmo. O segundo experimento foi conduzido com 48 linhagens e os híbridos inoculados com dois isolados de C. graminicola . No primeiro experimento, os genótipos formaram oito grupos com base na severidade da doença e as linhagens do último grupo foram consideradas as mais resistentes, incluindo o híbrido 2B710, em que os genótipos apresentaram valores de severidade entre 11,50 a 23%. No segundo experimento, houve interação entre os fatores linhagens e isolados e, de modo geral, as linhagens apresentaram a mesma tendência de reação obtida no primeiro experimento, no entanto, a severidade da doença foi maior para a maioria das linhagens, mesmo quando utilizado o outro isolado. Com isso, foi possível realizar a seleção de linhagens com bons níveis de resistência, as quais podem ser utilizadas em programas de melhoramento, em estudos de herança, desenvolvimento de híbridos e identificação de marcadores moleculares, associados com resistência à antracnose do colmo.

– Anthracnose stalk rot (ASR) disease caused by Colletotrichum graminicola can lead to major corn yield losses in Brazil. Studies on plant resistance and genetic variation in pathogen populations are required towards the development of ASR disease management strategies. However, the lack of adequate methods for C. graminicola inoculation in maize stalk has hindered these efforts. The main objective of the study was to develop a confident and feasible method for C. graminicola inoculation into maize stalk. Three inoculation methods were evaluated: TCMP (toothpick colonized by pathogen mycelium), TICS (toothpicks immersed in conidial suspension), and ICS (injection of conidial suspension). The effect of the internode position, the phenological stage, and the period of time required for maize reactions to ASR infection were also evaluated. The infection severity was assessed by a diagrammatic scale with six levels of severity from 0 (no necrotic spots) to 5 (100 % infection). The TICS was the best method, inoculation in the third internode and assessment of disease severity at tasselling stage (VT) 30 days after inoculation presented the more accurate results. The procedure was validated under field conditions. Key words: Zea mays; stalk rot; anthracnose. METODO PARA INOCULACAO DE Colletotrichum graminicola EM COLMOS DE MILHO RESUMO – A podridao do colmo do milho causada por Colletotrichum graminicola causa perdas severas em lavouras de milho. Estudos com resistencia de plantas e variabilidade genetica do patogeno sao necessarios para o desenvol-vimento de estrategias de manejo desta doenca. Por outro lado, ha ausencia de uma metodologia adequada para a inoculacao de C. graminicola em colmos. O objetivo principal do trabalho foi estabelecer uma metodologia confiavel e pratica para a inoculacao de C. graminicola. Foram avaliados tres metodos de inoculacao em colmo: palitos de dente colonizados por micelio; palitos de dente imersos em suspensao de conidios; e injecao de suspensao de conidios. Nos tambem determinamos o efeito da posicao do entreno inoculado, o estadio fenologico para a inoculacao e o periodo de tempo ideal apos a inoculacao para avaliar a severidade da doenca. O metodo de palitos de dente imersos em suspensao de conidios inoculado no terceiro entreno no estadio fenologico de pendoamento (VT) e avaliado aos 30 dias apos a inoculacao obteve o melhor resultado. A metodologia foi validada em plantas cultivadas em condicoes de campo. Palavras-chave: Zea mays; podridao de colmo, antracnose.

Objetivou-se propor e validar uma escala diagramática para quantificar a antracnose do colmo em milho. A severidade da antracnose foi estimada por dez avaliadores sem o uso de escala em 139 entrenós, e os mesmos avaliadores avaliaram os entrenós usando uma escala publicada anteriormente na literatura (primeira escala) e uma nova escala proposta. Com o uso da escala proposta, todas as variáveis foram significativamente diferentes em relação à primeira escala, e os valores foram mais próximos de uma medição acurada (r=0,97, Cb=0.98, u=0.09, υ=1.06, ρc=0.96). Os maiores desvios do erro foram observados quando os avaliadores atribuíram notas sem o uso de escalas e com a primeira escala, com vários exemplos de erros maiores do que 30% do valor real. Com a escala proposta, poucos erros acima de 15% do valor real foram encontrados, e a maioria das notas dos avaliadores não ultrapassou, para mais ou para menos, 10% do valor real. Uma maior confiabilidade na estimativa da severidade da doença foi obtida com o uso da escala proposta, com a qual 100% das comparações resultaram em um R2>0,90. A nova escala diagramática proposta no presente trabalho melhorou a acurácia, precisão e confiabilidade das estimativas da severidade da antracnose do colmo em milho This study aimed to validate a new diagrammatic scale to anthracnose stalk in corn. Anthracnose severity was estimated by ten raters without and with use of new scale on 139 internodes with different severity degrees and all evaluators rated the same internodes using the old scale published in the literature and a new proposed scale. All variables of the propose scale, were significantly different than those of old scale, and the values were closer to an accurate measurement (r=0.97, Cb=0.98, u=0:09, υ=1:06, ρc=0.96). The large error deviations were observed when evaluators given notes without the use of scales and also with the old scale, for examples with errors up to 30%. On the other hand the majority errors with the use the new scale were lower than 10%. Higher reliability was achieved with the use of the proposed scale, where 100% of the comparisons were achieved R2>0.90. According to the results the diagrammatic scale proposed in this study improves accuracy, precision and reliability of the evaluators to estimates the anthracnose stalk severity in corn

A antracnose, causada pelo fungo Colletotrichum graminicola, é a mais importante doença da cultura do sorgo (Sorghum bicolor) no Brasil. São reconhecidas três fases da doença: a antracnose foliar, a fase de podridão do colmo e a antracnose da panícula e dos grãos, sendo a fase foliar, a mais destrutiva, normalmente observada a partir de 30 a 40 dias após a emergência no estádio de desenvolvimento 4,0. O fungo Colletotrichum graminicola pode sobreviver por até 18 meses na ausência do hospedeiro, como micélio e conídios em restos culturais na superfície do solo, em hospedeiros alternativos e ainda como micélio, conídios e microesclerócios em sementes infetadas. Microesclerócios são produzidos em colmos secos de cultivares suscetíveis, sendo a sua sobrevivência maior em restos culturais mantidos na superfície do solo. O patógeno é altamente variável, conforme demonstrado através da virulência em plantas diferenciadoras e de marcadores moleculares. As implicações desta variabilidade no desenvolvimento de estratégias de manejo desta doença, através da resistência genética são aspectos discutidos neste trabalho.

RESUMO – O nitrogenio participa de muitos processos metabolicos relacionados aos mecanismos de defesa das plantas, podendo alem de beneficiar diretamente a produtividade, auxiliar na tolerância a doencas. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da adubacao nitrogenada de cobertura na severidade de doencas foliares, na produtividade e nas respostas bioquimicas em hibridos de milho. Dois experimentos foram conduzidos em campo, com delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, com tratamentos dispostos em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas, com tres repeticoes. As parcelas foram constituidas pelos hibridos e as subparcelas, pelas doses de nitrogenio. Determinou-se a area abaixo da curva de progresso da doenca (AACPD), a massa de mil graos (g), a produtividade em kg ha-1, os teores das enzimas superoxido dismutase (SOD) e catalase (CAT), o aminoacido prolina e os aminoacidos soluveis totais. A maioria dos hibridos avaliados apresentaram resposta a mancha-de-bipolaris e a antracnose-foliar mais severa nas menores doses de nitrogenio testadas (36 e 40 kg ha-1). A ferrugem-polissora foi mais severa em condicoes de alto nitrogenio para os hibridos ATTACK, TRAKTOR, BM 2202 e 30F53YH. A massa de mil graos nao foi influenciada pelas diferencas nas doses. A produtividade dos hibridos 2B710 e 3H842 foi maior na dose de 180 kg ha-1. A catalase e a prolina alcancaram maior e menor atividade, respectivamente, onde ocorreu maior severidade da mancha-de-bipolaris nos hibridos 2B710 e AG7088PROX. Os aminoacidos foram encontrados em maiores quantidades nas doses altas de nitrogenio. Palavras-chave: Zea mays , nutricao, nitrogenio, patogeno, mecanismos de defesa. NITROGEN FERTILIZATION IN LEAF DISEASE SEVERITY, PRODUCTIVITY AND BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES IN MAIZE HYBRIDS ABSTRACT - Nitrogen participates in many metabolic processes related to the defense mechanisms of plants, besides being able directly to benefit the productivity, to aid in the tolerance to diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilization on the severity of leaf diseases, productivity and biochemical responses in maize hybrids. Two experiments were conducted in the field, with a randomized complete block design, with treatments arranged in split plot arrangement, and three replications. The plots were composed of the hybrids and the subplots by the nitrogen doses. The area under the disease progress curve (AACPD), one thousand grain mass (g), yield in kg ha-1, levels of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), the amino acid proline and the total soluble amino acids were determined. Most of the evaluated hybrids showed a more severe bipolaris spot and foliar anthracnose response at the lowest nitrogen doses tested (36 and 40 kg ha-1). Polissora rust was more severe under high nitrogen conditions for the hybrids ATTACK, TRAKTOR, BM 2202 and 30F53YH. The mass of one thousand grains was not influenced by the differences in the doses. The productivity of the hybrids 2B710 and 3H842 was higher at the dose of 180 kg ha-1. Catalase and proline reached higher and lower activity, respectively, where the highest severity of the bipolaris spot occurred in hybrids 2B710 and AG7088PROX. Amino acids were found in higher amounts at high doses of nitrogen. Keywords: Zea mays , nutrition, nitrogen, pathogen, defense mechanisms. Normal 0 21 false false false PT-BR X-NONE X-NONE

A plant’s nutritional balance can influence its resistance to diseases. In order to evaluate the effect of increasing doses of N and K on the yield and severity of the maize white spot, two experiments were installed in the field, one in the city of Ijaci, Minas Gerais, and the other in the city of Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais. The experimental delimitation was in randomized blocks with 5 x 5 factorial analysis of variance, and four repetitions. The treatments consisted of five doses of N (20; 40; 80; 150; 190 Kg ha-1 of N in the experiments 1 and 2) and five doses of K (15; 30; 60; 120; 180 Kg ha-1 of K in experiment 1 and 8.75; 17.5; 35; 50; 100 Kg ha-1 of K in experiment 2). The susceptible cultivar 30P70 was planted in both experiments. The plot consisted of four rows 5 meters long, with a useful area consisting of two central rows 3 meters each. Evaluations began 43 days after emergence (DAE) in the first experiment and 56 DAE in the second one. There was no significant interaction between doses of N and K and the disease progress. The effect was only observed for N. The K did not influence the yield and the severity of the disease in these experiments. Bigger areas below the severity progress curve of the white spot and better yield were observed with increasing doses of N. Thus, with increasing doses of N, the white spot increased and also did the yield. RESUMO - O equilíbrio nutricional de plantas pode influenciar a resistência a doenças. Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de doses crescentes de N e de K na produtividade e na severidade da mancha branca do milho, foram instalados em campo, dois experimentos, um em Ijaci, MG e o outro em Sete Lagoas, MG. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com esquema de análise de variância fatorial 5 x 5 e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de 5 doses de N (20; 40; 80; 150; 190 Kg ha-1 de N nos experimentos 1 e 2) e de 5 doses de K (15; 30; 60; 120; 180 Kg ha-1 de K no experimento 1 e 8,75; 17,5; 35; 50; 100 Kg ha-1 de K no experimento 2). Foi plantado nos dois experimentos o cultivar suscetível 30P70. As parcelas foram constituídas de quatro fileiras de 5 m de comprimento, sendo a área útil composta por duas linhas centrais com 3 m cada. As avaliações iniciaram-se aos 43 dias após emergência (DAE) no primeiro e aos 56 DAE, no segundo experimento. Não houve interação significativa entre as doses de N e de K e o progresso da doença. O efeito foi observado apenas para o N. O K não influenciou a produtividade e a severidade da doença nesses experimentos. Observaram-se maiores áreas abaixo da curva de progresso da severidade da mancha branca e maior produtividade com o aumento das doses de N. Sendo assim, com o aumento das doses de N houve aumento da mancha branca do milho e também da produtividade.

O equilíbrio nutricional pode contribuir para a resistência das plantas às doenças. Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da interação entre as adubações nitrogenada e potássica na severidade das lesões da antracnose foliar e na nutrição mineral da cultura do milho, foram instalados dois experimentos, em casa de vegetação com dois cultivares, o DAS 2B710 (moderadamente resistente à doença) e o BRS 1010 (susceptível), cinco doses de N (75, 150, 300, 600 e 1200 mg dm^-3) e cinco doses de K 63, 125, 250, 500 e 1000 mg dm^-3). O delineamento experimental para cada cultivar foi em blocos inteiramente ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 5 x 5, com 25 tratamentos e quatro repetições. Cada vaso com quatro plantas constituiu uma parcela experimental. As doses de N e K foram divididas em quatro parcelas, com intervalos de dez dias a partir da semeadura, para os dois cultivares. Aos 21 dias após a semeadura, as plantas foram inoculadas e levadas para câmara úmida, com fotoperíodo de 16 horas, no escuro durante três dias consecutivos. Avaliou-se a severidade das lesões diariamente, até 11 dias após a inoculação. Aos 43 dias após a semeadura, a parte aérea das plantas foi colhida, secada e moída para determinar os teores de N e de K. A quantidade de área foliar lesionada dependeu da interação entre os nutrientes. Em ambos os cultivares, os menores valores de severidade foram observados na menor dose de N, combinada com a maior dose de K. A severidade das lesões observada no cultivar moderadamente resistente foi 41% menor que a observada no cultivar susceptível. A adubação nitrogenada influenciou de forma negativa o teor de K da parte aérea. The nutritional balance may contribute to increase plant disease resistance. With the aim of evaluating the interaction of nitrogen and potassium fertilization on severity of leaf anthracnose and mineral nutrition of maize, two experiments were installed in a greenhouse using two cultivars of corn, DAS 2B710 (moderately resistant to disease) and BRS 1010 (susceptible). Five doses of N (75, 150, 300, 600 and 1200 mg dm^-3) and K (63, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg dm^-3) were applied. The experimental design for each cultivar was completely randomized in a 5x5 factorial scheme, with 25 treatments and four replications. Each vase with four plants consisted of one experimental plot. The dosage of N and K were distributed in 4 applications at intervals of 10 days from sowing, for both cultivars. At 21 days after sowing, plants were inoculated and taken to a moist chamber with photoperiodic treatment of 16 hours in darkness for 3 consecutive days. After the inoculation, the severity was assessed daily for 11 days. At 43 days after sowing, the aerial part of the plant was harvested, dried and ground to determine the uptake of N and K. The severity was significantly affected by the interaction between nutrients. In both cultivars, the lowest severity values were observed at the lowest dose of N combined with the higher dose of K. The severity of the moderately resistant cultivar was 41% lower than in the susceptible cultivar. Nitrogen fertilization influenced negatively the K content in leaves and shoots.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência do uso de multilinhas dinâmicas, por meio de misturas genéticas em populações de híbridos triplos, no manejo da antracnose do sorgo, causada pelo fungo Colletotrichum sublineolum. Foram obtidos 18 híbridos triplos a partir de sete linhagens que continham genes distintos para resistência à doença. Os 25 genótipos de híbridos e linhagens foram avaliados em campo. Verificou-se, em alguns híbridos, grau de resistência superior ao observado para a linhagem mais resistente utilizada nos cruzamentos, o que indica efeito aditivo dos genes de resistência das diferentes linhagens na composição da resistência final dos híbridos. O usodas multilinhas dinâmicas reduziu a intensidade da doença no campo e aumentou a produtividade. Essa estratégia torna possível a utilização de linhagens que apresentam características agronômicas desejáveis, mas são suscetíveis à antracnose. The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of dynamic multilines, using genetic mixing in populations of three-;way hybrids, in the management of sorghum anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum sublineolum. Eighteen three-;way hybrids were obtained from seven different lines containing genes for resistance to the disease. The 25 genotypes of hybrids and lines were evaluated in field conditions. In some hybrids, a higher resistance level was observed when compared to that of the more resistant line used in the crosses, indicating an additive effect of the resistance genes of the different lineages in the composition of the final resistance of hybrids. The use of dynamic multilines reduced the disease intensity in field and increased productivity. This strategy makes it possible to use lineages that have desirable agronomic characteristics, but are susceptible to anthracnose.

Com o objetivo de adequar um sistema de previsão para uso criterioso do controle químico da requeima da batateira (Solanum tuberosum), foram instalados ensaios em condição de campo, seguindo-se o delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, com sete tratamentos e quatro repetições, com a cultivar Bintje. Os fungicidas dimetomorfe, cimoxanil, mancozeb e clorotalonil foram associados com diferentes esquemas de pulverização baseados no sistema de previsão modificado de Wallin (1962) e no sistema tradicional de controle da requeima. Os tratamentos consistiram de : 1) aplicação de dimetomorfe de acordo com VSD-12 + clorotalonil semanalmente; 2) aplicação de dimetomorfe de acordo com VSD-14 + clorotalonil semanalmente; 3) aplicação de dimetomorfe de acordo com VSD-16 + clorotalonil semanalmente; 4) aplicação dos fungicidas protetores mancozeb, clorotalonil e oxicloreto de cobre alternados a cada sete dias; 5) aplicação dos fungicidas mancozeb, dimetomorfe, clorotalonil e cimoxanil, alternados a cada sete dias; 6) aplicação de dimetomorfe + clorotalonil de acordo com VSD-12; e 7) testemunha (sem aplicação). O uso do sistema de previsão conforme os tratamentos 1, 2 e 3 apresentou eficiência comparável ao calendário semanal (tratamento 5) de pulverização no controle da requeima da batateira. Os tratamentos baseados no acúmulo de 12 e 14 VSD's apresentaram maior eficiência em prever a ocorrência de epidemias da requeima. Apenas o sistema de previsão 2, permitiu reduzir o número de pulverizações com fungicida sistêmico, sem que houvesse perda significativa na produção. This experiment was carried out on a potato (Solanum tuberosum) crop to evaluate a prediction system to control late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans. The trial was conducted from May to September 1998 using the cultivar Bintje. Dimethomorph, cymoxanil, mancozeb and chorothalonil were associated with different spraying schemes, based on the modified Wallin (1962) prediction system and on the traditional late blight control system. The prediction schemes tested consisted of accumulated disease severity values (DSV) of 12, 14, and 16. The traditional late blight control consisted of weekly applications of fungicides starting two weeks after plant emergence, while those defined by the prediction system were carried out based on the DSV accumulated throughout the experiment. Descriptive and diagrammatic scales were used to assess late blight severity. The efficiency of the spray schemes was compared with the area below the curve of disease progress and tuber yield. The treatments based on the prediction scheme were as efficient as the weekly calendar program in reducing disease intensity. Disease severity values of 12 and 14 allowed reduction in the number of sprays without significantly affecting the control level of the disease and tuber yield. The use of the systemic fungicide alone, based on the prediction scheme, resulted in high disease intensity; the use of protective fungicides at weekly intervals gave intermediate control similar to the weekly spray calendar. The prediction schemes based on DSV of 14 reduced dimethomorph sprays without any yield loss.

The main objective of this work was to evaluate the diversification of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) populations as a way to manage resistance to the sorghum anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum graminicola. A total of 18 three-way hybrids were obtained by crossing six single cross male-sterile F1 hybrids, derived by crossing A (non restorer sterile cytoplasm) and B (non restorer normal cytoplasm) lines, with three fertile R (restorer) lines, previously evaluated for their differential reaction to the pathogen. Variation in the level of resistance was observed, as indicated by the values of the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) obtained for each hybrid. Lines contributed differently to the level of resistance of each hybrid. All hybrids in which CMSXS169R was the male progenitor were classified as highly resistant. Some hybrids had a level of resistance superior to the maximum levels of each line component individually.

Bacterial isolates from sorghum plants showing leaf spot symptoms were identified through molecular and phenotypic traits, showing that the isolates belong to Pantoea ananatis. Sorghum plants inoculated with those isolates showed a pathogenic reaction. The causal agent was reisolated and Koch’s postulates were fulfilled. This is the first report of P. ananatis causing leaf spots on sorghum plants in Brazil.