Characterization of resistance response of Coffea canephora genotypes to Meloiddogyne incognita (Est I2) root-knot nematode

Meloidogynose is prominent among the factors that limit yield in C. canephora in the western Amazon, Brazil. It is caused by species of “root-knot nematode”; the most important and aggressive of these species for coffee is M. incognita. The aim of this study was to assist the selection of resistant genotypes by characterizing the reaction of 32 C. canephora clones to M. incognita (Est I2). These genotypes are selected plants from the Germplasm Bank of Embrapa Rondônia of the botanical varieties Conilon, Robusta and intervarietal hybrids. The experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions by inoculating six seedlings for each clone with 10 ml of suspension containing 5000 eggs of a pure inoculum of M. incognita. At 150 days after inoculation, evaluations were made of fresh weight of roots (FWR), total number of galls (NG), total number of eggs (NE), and the nematode reproduction factor (RF=final population/initial population). In contrast with the susceptible controls of arabica coffee (RF=1.2) and tomato plants (RF=31.3), six clones of the Conilon botanical variety, five clones of the Robusta botanical variety and eight intervarietal hybrids reacted as resistant to M. incognita, exhibiting RF < 1 and a reduced number of galls (NGmean = < 10). The clones identified as resistant in this study were integrated in the coffee breeding program in Rondônia for development of cultivars resistant to the root-knot nematode adapted to tropical conditions

Epidemics of dwarf cashew powdery mildew as affected by flowering periods, clones and chemical control

Epidemics of cashew powdery mildew are observed every year in most of the growing regions in Northeast Brazil. Currently, fungicide management is the main disease control strategy. This study aimed to compare powdery mildew epidemics according to the flowering periods in 2014 and 2019, in different dwarf cashew clones in 2018 and 2021, and with or without chemical control in 2016 and 2020. The disease severity data were used to calculate the variables area under the disease progress curve, final disease and onset of the epidemics, and the monomolecular linear model was used to calculate the initial disease incidence and disease progress rate. Regarding the flowering effect, it was found that, in 2014, the first flowering period stood out from the others for initial disease incidence, disease progress rateand area under the disease progress curve. In 2019, the third flowering period showed the lowest levels of initial disease incidence, area under the disease progress curve and final disease. As for the clones, ‘BRS 226’ stood out as the most resistant for most the disease variables in the two years of the study. The fungicide sprays had a significant effect and prevented the powdery mildew epidemics in the two years of the study. The powdery mildew epidemics showed to be more severe in the first flowering period and can be reduced by using chemical control and more resistant dwarf cashew clones

Selection of fungi with biocontrol potential against the black spot disease of papaya

The use of fungicides is the main control measure against the black-spot disease of papaya. The biological control is an alternative to that, being the selection of mycoparasitic fungi the first step in programs aiming at this kind of control. This study aimed to obtain and select fungi with potential to the biocontrol of the black spot disease of papaya. For this purpose, 24 isolates were collected from different regions and pathosystems, and then identified morphologically and by the ITS region sequencing. In order to evaluate the mycoparasite potential, two assessments, in a randomized block design, with three replications, were carried out in a shadehouse, being the obtained isolates inoculated on papaya leaves with black spot lesions. The average time for the appearance of mycoparasitism signs and the incidence of mycoparasitized black spot lesions were evaluated. Of the 24 isolates obtained, ten were from Hansfordia pulvinata, two from Lecanicillium lecaniium, two from Simplicillium lanossoniveum, one from Sarocladium implicatum and nine from Acremonium spp. A wide variability, concerning the mycoparasitism on black spot lesions, was observed, especially for the isolates H-611, H-613, H-614 and H-615, which showed the highest colonization averages. The results demonstrate that H. pulvinata has a great potential to be used as a biocontrol agent against Asperisporium caricae

Model-assisted phenotyping by digital images in papaya breeding program

Manual phenotyping for papaya Carica papaya (L) breeding purposes limits the evaluation of a great number of plants and hampers selection of superior genotypes. This study aimed to validate two methodologies for the phenotyping of morpho-agronomic plant traits using image analysis and fruit traits through image processing. In plants of the ‘THB’ variety and ‘UENF/Caliman-01’ hybrid two images (A and B) were analyzed to estimate commercial and irregularly shaped fruits. Image A was also used in the estimation of plant height, stem diameter and the first fruit insertion height. In ‘THB’ fruits, largest and smallest diameters, length, and volume were estimated by using a caliper and image processing (IP). Volume was obtained by water column displacement (WCD) and by the expression of ellipsoid approximation (EA). Correlations above 0.85 between manual and image measurements were obtained for all traits. The averages of the morpho-agronomic traits, estimated by using images, were similar when compared to the averages measured manually. In addition, the errors of the proposed methodologies were low compared to manual phenotyping. Bland-Altman's approach indicated agreement between the volume estimated by WCD and EA using caliper and IP. The strong association obtained between volume and fruit weight suggests the use of regression to estimate this trait. Thus, the expectation is that image-based phenotyping can be used to expand the experiments, thereby maintaining accuracy and providing greater genetic gains in the selection of superior genotypes

Diagrammatic scale for the quantification of black spot severity in papaya leaves

Black spot (Asperisporium caricae) is one of the main foliar fungal diseases of papaya crops. This disease acts directly on leaves and fruits causing leaf area reduction and fruit deterioration. The quantification of diseases is a fundamental part of the disease management and control process; therefore, a scale is required to help quantify black spot disease. The objective of this work was to propose a standardized methodology to quantify black spot severity in papaya leaves. A scale was developed considering the maximum and minimum values of the disease in the field that included eight levels of severity: 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 1.0, 2.3, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0%. Without the aid of a scale the disease is often overestimated, with absolute errors of approximately 75%. When the scale was used, 100% of the evaluators showed improved accuracy and precision, and absolute error was reduced to the 10% range. The scale also provided good repeatability and high reproducibility. The use of the scale provided an improvement in the R2 values, with mean values of 93 and 92 in the second and third evaluations, respectively, demonstrating that the scale is useful for different aspects of the pathosystem of A. caricae, such as for determining the efficiency of fungicides, characterization of varietal resistance, construction of the disease progression curve, and estimation of damage

Prediction of genetic gain from selection indices for disease resistance in papaya hybrids Predição de ganhos genéticos para resistência a doenças por índices de seleção em híbridos de mamoeiro

In order to select superior hybrids for the concentration of favorable alleles for resistance to papaya black spot, powdery mildew and phoma spot, 67 hybrids were evaluated in two seasons, in 2007, in a randomized block design with two replications. Genetic gains were estimated from the selection indices of Smith & Hazel, Pesek & Baker, Williams, Mulamba & Mock, with selection intensity of 22.39%, corresponding to 15 hybrids. The index of Mulamba & Mock showed gains more suitable for the five traits assessed when it was used the criterion of economic weight tentatively assigned. Together, severity of black spot on leaves and on fruits, characteristics considered most relevant to the selection of resistant materials, expressed percentage gain of -44.15%. In addition, there were gains for other characteristics, with negative predicted selective percentage gain. The results showed that the index of Mulamba & Mock is the most efficient procedure for simultaneous selection of papaya hybrid resistant to black spot, powdery mildew and phoma spot.<br>Com a finalidade de selecionar híbridos superiores para concentração de alelos favoráveis à resistência de mamoeiro à pinta-preta, oídio e mancha de phoma, foram avaliados, em duas épocas, em 2007, 67 híbridos simples, em delineamento de blocos casualizados com duas repetições. Os ganhos genéticos foram estimados a partir dos índices de seleção de Smith & Hazel, Pesek & Baker, Williams e Mulamba & Mock, com intensidade de seleção de 22,39%, correspondendo a 15 híbridos. O índice de Mulamba & Mock evidenciou ganhos mais adequados para as cinco características avaliadas, quando utilizado o critério de peso econômico atribuído por tentativas. Em conjunto, as severidades da pinta-preta em folhas e em frutos, características consideradas de maior interesse para a seleção de materiais resistentes, expressaram ganho percentual de -44,15%. Além disso, registraram-se ganhos para as demais características, com ganho percentual seletivo predito negativo. Conclui-se, portanto, que o uso do índice de Mulamba & Mock é o procedimento mais eficiente para seleção simultânea de híbridos de mamoeiro resistentes à pinta-preta, oídio e mancha de phoma

Prediction of genetic gain from selection indices for disease resistance in papaya hybrids

In order to select superior hybrids for the concentration of favorable alleles for resistance to papaya black spot, powdery mildew and phoma spot, 67 hybrids were evaluated in two seasons, in 2007, in a randomized block design with two replications. Genetic gains were estimated from the selection indices of Smith & Hazel, Pesek & Baker, Williams, Mulamba & Mock, with selection intensity of 22.39%, corresponding to 15 hybrids. The index of Mulamba & Mock showed gains more suitable for the five traits assessed when it was used the criterion of economic weight tentatively assigned. Together, severity of black spot on leaves and on fruits, characteristics considered most relevant to the selection of resistant materials, expressed percentage gain of -44.15%. In addition, there were gains for other characteristics, with negative predicted selective percentage gain. The results showed that the index of Mulamba & Mock is the most efficient procedure for simultaneous selection of papaya hybrid resistant to black spot, powdery mildew and phoma spot

Effect of temperature on in vitro growth and sporulation of hyperparasites fungi of Asperisporium caricae

Black spot is the major papaya foliar fungal disease, being its chemical control necessary to achieve an economic commercial production. Alternative control methods, concerning fungicides, are necessary for the sustainable production of higher quality papaya fruits. Among them, biological control lacks basic studies. This study aimed to determine the proper temperature conditions for in vitro mycelial growth and sporulation of hyperparasites fungi isolated from Asperisporium caricae in papaya, which are potential biocontrol agents. A total of 18 fungal isolates (eight from Hansfordia pulvinata and ten from Acremonium spp.) were grown on PDA medium, at 15 ºC, 20 ºC, 23 ºC, 25 ºC, 27 ºC and 30 ºC, under a 12-hour photoperiod. For H. pulvinata isolates, mild temperatures around 21 ºC result in maximum mycelial growth and sporulation. For Acremonium spp. isolates, the optimum temperature for mycelial growth and sporulation occurs at 20-25 ºC