Amphichorda monjolensis sp. nov., a new fungal species isolated from a Brazilian limestone cave, with an update on acremonium-like species in Bionectriaceae

Caves are unique environments characterized by spatial limitations, partial or total absence of direct light, and scarcity of organic carbon and nutrients. Caves are shelters for a variety of adapted animals and microorganisms such as fungi, many of which are still unknown. Amphichorda is a fungal genus belonging to the family Bionectriaceae, which includes cave-dwelling and entomopathogenic species with biotechnological applications. In this study, a new fungal species was identified using morphological and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses of the ITS, LSU, and TEF loci, in the Gruta Velha Nova limestone cave located in the Southern Espinhaço Range, Monjolos, Minas Gerais, Brazil. During the exposure of potato dextrose agar plates to the cave environment, an insect from the family Rhaphidophoridae passed by and fed on the culture medium, resulting in three fungal isolates. Phylogenetic analyses showed that these isolates formed a clade distinct from all known species, leading us to introduce a new species, Amphichorda monjolensis, which may be associated with this insect. Here, we also proposed two new combinations for species of acremonium-like fungi in the Bionectriaceae: Bulbithecium globosisporum (synonym: Acremonium globosisporum) and Hapsidospora curva (synonym: Acremonium curvum). The discovery of A. monjolensis highlights the potential of caves as shelters for new species with significant biotechnological importance.

Two new Cladosporium species from a quartzite cave in Brazil

Caves are underground and natural environments mainly found in rocky terrain. Caves have a very specific microclimate, which benefits the occurrence of specific fungi. In recent studies, researchers have observed that caves harbour a great diversity of fungi. However, studies on fungal diversity in Brazilian caves are still incipient. In September 2019, airborne spore and soil samples were collected from the Monte Cristo cave, in the Southern Espinhaço Range, Diamantina, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Two Cladosporium single-spore isolates, among other genera, were obtained from these samples. This study aimed to characterise these two fungal isolates based on their DNA sequence data and morphology. Phylogenetic analyses of the rDNA-ITS, ACT and TEF1-α loci revealed that the isolates belonged to the Cladosporium cladosporioides species complex. Both isolates did not cluster with any known species and were formally described and named herein as C. diamantinense and C. speluncae. This study presents taxonomic novelties and contributes to the knowledge about the fungal diversity in Brazilian caves.

Endophytic Trichoderma species from rubber trees native to the Brazilian Amazon, including four new species

Fungi belonging to the genus Trichoderma have been widely recognized as efficient controllers of plant diseases. Although the majority of isolates currently deployed, thus far, have been isolated from soil, endophytic Trichoderma spp. is considered to be a promising option for application in biocontrol. In this study, 30 endophytic Trichoderma isolates-obtained from the leaves, stems, and roots of wild Hevea spp. in the Brazilian Amazon-were analyzed using specific DNA barcodes: sequences of internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 of rDNA (ITS region), genes encoding translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1-α), and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2). The genealogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition (GCPSR) concept was used for species delimitation. A phylogenetic analysis showed the occurrence of Trichoderma species, such as T. erinaceum, T. ovalisporum, T. koningiopsis, T. sparsum, T. lentiforme, T. virens, and T. spirale. Molecular and morphological features resulted in the discovery of four new species, such as T. acreanum sp. nov., T. ararianum sp. nov., T. heveae sp. nov., and T. brasiliensis sp. nov. The BI and ML analyses shared a similar topology, providing high support to the final trees. The phylograms show three distinct subclades, namely, T. acreanum and T. ararianum being paraphyletic with T. koningiopsis; T. heveae with T. subviride; and T. brasiliensis with T. brevicompactum. This study adds to our knowledge of the diversity of endophytic Trichoderma species in Neotropical forests and reveals new potential biocontrol agents for the management of plant diseases.

Endophytic species of Induratia from coffee and carqueja plants from Brazil and its potential for the biological control of toxicogenic fungi on coffee beans by means of antimicrobial volatiles

Several endophytic fungi have been reported to have produced bioactive metabolites. Some of them, including the Induratia species, have the capacity to emit volatile compounds with antimicrobial properties with broad spectrum against human and plant pathogens. The present study aimed to prospect the Induratia species producing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in carqueja plants used in alternative medicine and coffee plants in Brazil. A total of 11 fungal isolates producing volatile metabolites were obtained by a parallel growth technique, using I. alba 620 as a reference strain. Phylogenetic relationships revealed the presence of at least three distinct species, I. coffeana, I. yucatanensis, and Induratia sp. SPME/GC/MS analyses of the VOCs in the headspace above the mycelium from Induratia species cultured for 10 days on PDA revealed the volatile profile emitted by I. coffeana CCF 572, I. coffeana COAD 2055, I. yucatanensis COAD 2062, and Induratia sp. COAD 2059. Volatile organic compounds produced by I. coffeana isolates presented antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus ochraceus, A. sclerotiorum, A. elegans, A. foetidus, A. flavus, A. tamari, A. tubingensis, A. sydowii, A. niger, A. caespitosus, A. versicolor, and A. expansum, sometimes by decreasing the growth rate or, mainly, by fully inhibiting colony growth. Fifty-eight percent of the target species died after 6 days of exposure to VOCs emitted by I. coffeana CCF 572. In addition, VOCs emitted by the same fungus inhibited the growth in A. ochraceus inoculated into coffee beans, which indicates that plants which have I. coffeana as an endophyte may be protected from attacks by this plant pathogen.

Identification of the main proteins secreted by Kluyveromyces marxianus and their possible roles in antagonistic activity against fungi

Lytic enzymes secreted by Kluyveromyces marxianus can lyse Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. Their ability to hydrolyze yeast cell walls can be used in biotechnological applications, such as the production of glucans and protoplasts, as well as a biological control agent against plant pathogenic fungi. Herein, 27 proteins secreted by K. marxianus were identified by mass spectrometry analyses. Importantly, 14 out of the 27 proteins were classified as hydrolases. Indeed, the enzyme extract secreted by K. marxianus caused damage to S. cerevisiae cells and reduced yeast cell viability. Moreover, K marxianus inhibited spore germination and mycelial growth of the phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea in simultaneous cocultivation assays. We suggest that this inhibition may be partially related to the yeast's ability to secrete lytic enzymes. Consistent with the in vitro antagonistic tests, K. marxianus was able to protect strawberry fruits inoculated with B. cinerea. Therefore, these findings suggest that K. marxianus possesses potential as a biocontrol agent against strawberry gray mold during the postharvest stage and may also have potential against other phytopathogenic fungi by means of its lytic enzymatic arsenal.

A simple method for the cultivation of the "unculturable" asterinaceous fungi (Asterinales/Dothideomycetes)

Although asterinaceous fungi have been studied for many years, all previous attempts to isolate, cultivate, and propagate these fungi in vitro have failed. This paper provides the first reports of in vitro isolation of representative strains of species belonging to five fungi from different genera belonging to Asterinales. To confirm if the sequences of DNA obtained from the mycelia are the same obtained in the direct extraction, a phylogenetic analysis of nuc LSU rDNA was performed. This paper reports for the first time the success of in vitro culturing of asterinaceous fungi using the ascospores ejection technique, opening perspectives of studies of genetics, physiology, among other aspects of the biology for this very understudied group of fungi.

Penicillium citrinum UFV1 β-glucosidases: purification, characterization, and application for biomass saccharification

BACKGROUND

β-Glucosidases are components of the cellulase system, a family of enzymes that hydrolyze the β-1,4 linkages of cellulose. These proteins have been extensively studied due to the possibility of their use in various biotechnological processes. They have different affinities for substrates (depending on their source) and their activities can be used for saccharification of different types of biomass. In this context, the properties and the synergistic capacity of β-glucosidases from different organisms, to supplement the available commercial cellulase cocktails, need a comprehensive evaluation.

RESULTS

Two β-glucosidases belonging to GH3 family were secreted by Penicillium citrinum UFV. PcβGlu1 (241 kDa) and PcβGlu2 (95 kDa) presented acidic and thermo-tolerant characteristics. PcβGlu1 showed Michaelis-Menten kinetics for all substrates tested with K_m values ranging from 0.09 ± 0.01 (laminarin) to 1.7 ± 0.1 mM (cellobiose, C2) and k_cat values ranging from 0.143 ± 0.005 (laminarin) to 8.0 ± 0.2 s^-1 (laminaribiose, Lb). PcβGlu2 showed substrate inhibition for 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (MUβGlu), p-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (pNPβGlu), cellodextrins (C3, C4, and C5), N-octil-β-d-glucopyranoside, and laminaribiose, with K_m values ranging from 0.014 ± 0.001 (MUβGlu) to 0.64 ± 0.06 mM (C2) and k_cat values ranging from 0.49 ± 0.01 (gentiobiose) to 1.5 ± 0.2 s^-1 (C4). Inhibition constants (K_i) for PcβGlu2 substrate inhibition ranged from 0.69 ± 0.07 (MUβGlu) to 10 ± 1 mM (Lb). Glucose and cellobiose are competitive inhibitors of PcβGlu1 and PcβGlu2 when pNPβGlu is used as a substrate. For PcβGlu1 inhibition, K_i = 1.89 ± 0.08 mM (glucose) and K_i = 3.8 ± 0.1 mM (cellobiose); for PcβGlu2, K_i = 0.83 ± 0.05 mM (glucose) and K_i = 0.95 ± 0.07 mM (cellobiose). The enzymes were tested for saccharification of different biomasses, individually or supplementing a Trichoderma reesei commercial cellulose preparation. PcβGlu2 was able to hydrolyze banana pseudostem and coconut fiber with the same efficiency as the T. reesei cocktail, showing significant synergistic properties with T. reesei enzymes in the hydrolysis of these alternative biomasses.

CONCLUSIONS

The β-glucosidases from P. citrinum UFV1 present different enzymatic properties from each other and might have potential application in several biotechnological processes, such as hydrolysis of different types of biomass.

Considerations and consequences of allowing DNA sequence data as types of fungal taxa

Nomenclatural type definitions are one of the most important concepts in biological nomenclature. Being physical objects that can be re-studied by other researchers, types permanently link taxonomy (an artificial agreement to classify biological diversity) with nomenclature (an artificial agreement to name biological diversity). Two proposals to amend the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN), allowing DNA sequences alone (of any region and extent) to serve as types of taxon names for voucherless fungi (mainly putative taxa from environmental DNA sequences), have been submitted to be voted on at the 11th International Mycological Congress (Puerto Rico, July 2018). We consider various genetic processes affecting the distribution of alleles among taxa and find that alleles may not consistently and uniquely represent the species within which they are contained. Should the proposals be accepted, the meaning of nomenclatural types would change in a fundamental way from physical objects as sources of data to the data themselves. Such changes are conducive to irreproducible science, the potential typification on artefactual data, and massive creation of names with low information content, ultimately causing nomenclatural instability and unnecessary work for future researchers that would stall future explorations of fungal diversity. We conclude that the acceptance of DNA sequences alone as types of names of taxa, under the terms used in the current proposals, is unnecessary and would not solve the problem of naming putative taxa known only from DNA sequences in a scientifically defensible way. As an alternative, we highlight the use of formulas for naming putative taxa (candidate taxa) that do not require any modification of the ICN.

High genetic variability in endophytic fungi from the genus Diaporthe isolated from common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Brazil

AIMS

The goals of the present study were to identify, to analyse the phylogenetic relations and to evaluate the genetic variability in Diaporthe endophytic isolates from common bean.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Diaporthe sp., D. infecunda and D. phaseolorum strains were identified using multilocus phylogeny (rDNA ITS region; EF1-α, β-tubulin, and calmodulin genes). IRAP (Inter-Retrotransposon Amplified Polymorphism) and REMAP (Retrotransposon-Microsatellite Amplified Polymorphism) molecular markers reveal the existence of high genetic variability, especially among D. infecunda isolates.

CONCLUSIONS

It was concluded that the multilocus phylogenetic approach was more effective than individual analysis of ITS sequences, in identifying the isolates to species level, and that IRAP and REMAP markers can be used for studying the genetic variability in the genus Diaporthe particularly at the intraspecific level.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The combined use of molecular tools such as multilocus phylogenetic approach and molecular markers, as performed in this study, is the best way to distinguish endophytic strains of Diaporthe isolated from common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia in systemic lupus erythematosus at diagnosis: differences between pediatric and adult patients

Objective To determine the overall prevalence of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), and to compare clinical and laboratory features in a large population of children and adult lupus patients at diagnosis. Methods This retrospective study evaluated the medical charts of 336 childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) and 1830 adult SLE (aSLE) patients followed in the same tertiary hospital. Demographic data, clinical features and disease activity were recorded. AIHA was defined according to the presence of anemia (hemoglobin <10 g/dL) and evidence of hemolysis (reticulocytosis and positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT)/Coombs test) at SLE diagnosis. Evans syndrome (ES) was defined by the combination of immune thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100,000/mm³) and AIHA. Results The frequency of AIHA at diagnosis was significantly higher in cSLE patients compared to aSLE (49/336 (14%) vs 49/1830 (3%), p = 0.0001), with similar frequency of ES (3/336 (0.9%) vs 10/1830 (0.5%), p = 0.438). The median of hemoglobin levels was reduced in cSLE vs aSLE patients (8.3 (2.2-10) vs 9.5 (6.6-10) g/dL, p = 0.002) with a higher frequency of multiple hemorrhagic manifestations (41% vs 7%, p = 0.041) and erythrocyte transfusion due to bleeding (24% vs 5%, p = 0.025). cSLE patients also had more often constitutional involvement (84% vs 31%, p < 0.001), fever (65% vs 26%, p < 0.001), weight loss > 2 kg (39% vs 6%, p < 0.001), reticuloendothelial manifestations (48% vs 8%, p < 0.001), hepatomegaly (25% vs 2%, p < 0.001) and splenomegaly (21% vs 2%, p = 0.004). Other major organ involvements were common but with similar frequencies in cSLE and aSLE ( p > 0.05). Median systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2 K) was comparable in cSLE and aSLE (p = 0.161). Conclusions We identified that AIHA was not a common condition in cSLE and aSLE, with distinct features characterized by a higher prevalence/severity in children and concomitant constitutional symptoms in the majority of them.

Additions to the genera Asterolibertia and Cirsosia (Asterinaceae, Asterinales), with particular reference to species from the Brazilian Cerrado

Four new Asterolibertia species and a new variety of Cirsosia splendida, all found on native Cerrado plants, belonging to three host families are described, illustrated and named as: A. bahiensis sp. nov. on Erythroxylum sp. (Erythroxylaceae); A. barrinhensis sp. nov. on Diospyros burchellii (Ebenaceae); A. campograndensis sp. nov. on Hirtella glandulosa (Chrysobalanaceae); A. parinaricola sp. nov. on Parinari obtusifolia (Chrysobalanaceae); and Cirsosiasplendida var. laevigata var. nov., showing both sexual and asexual morphs, on H. glandulosa and H. gracilipes (Chrysobalanaceae). Finally, A. licaniae is reported on a new host, H. gracilipes. Keys to all the known species of Asterolibertia and Cirsosia are included.

Phylogeny, Identification, and Pathogenicity of Lasiodiplodia Associated with Postharvest Stem-End Rot of Coconut in Brazil

Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) is one of the most important perennial tropical crops. Stem-end rot is the major postharvest disease of coconut in Brazil. The fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae is the only species that has been reported to be associated with this disease. However, a comprehensive study elucidating the true identity of this pathogen with molecular tools has never been conducted. In recent years, new species of Lasiodiplodia have been proposed after molecular studies were performed, indicating the existence of a species complex. The aims of this research were to study the etiology of the postharvest stem-end rot of immature coconut based on a combination of morphological and phylogenetic analyses, to establish the phylogenetic position of such taxa, and to assess the pathogenicity of each taxon. Four species were identified: L. brasiliense, L. egyptiacae, L. pseudotheobromae, and L. theobromae. All of the species were distinguished morphologically and phylogenetically and were proven to be pathogenic to coconut following artificial inoculation. L. theobromae was the most common and the most aggressive species. This study represents the first report of three additional species of Lasiodiplodia as causal agents of postharvest stem-end rot of immature coconut in Brazil.

Diversity of endophytic fungi in Glycine max

Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that live within plant tissues without causing disease during part of their life cycle. With the isolation and identification of these fungi, new species are being discovered, and ecological relationships with their hosts have also been studied. In Glycine max, limited studies have investigated the isolation and distribution of endophytic fungi throughout leaves and roots. The distribution of these fungi in various plant organs differs in diversity and abundance, even when analyzed using molecular techniques that can evaluate fungal communities in different parts of the plants, such as denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Our results show there is greater species richness of culturable endophytic filamentous fungi in the leaves G. max as compared to roots. Additionally, the leaves had high values for diversity indices, i.e. Simpsons, Shannon and Equitability. Conversely, dominance index was higher in roots as compared to leaves. The fungi Ampelomyces sp., Cladosporium cladosporioides, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Diaporthe helianthi, Guignardia mangiferae and Phoma sp. were more frequently isolated from the leaves, whereas the fungi Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani and Fusarium sp. were prevalent in the roots. However, by evaluating the two communities by DGGE, we concluded that the species richness was higher in the roots than in the leaves. UPGMA analysis showed consistent clustering of isolates; however, the fungus Leptospora rubella, which belongs to the order Dothideales, was grouped among species of the order Pleosporales. The presence of endophytic Fusarium species in G. max roots is unsurprising, since Fusarium spp. isolates have been previously described as endophyte in other reports. However, it remains to be determined whether the G. max Fusarium endophytes are latent pathogens or non-pathogenic forms that benefit the plant. This study provides a broader knowledge of the distribution of the fungal community in G. max leaves and roots, and identifies the genetic relationships among the isolated species.

Systematics of the Cosmospora viliuscula species complex

The genus Cosmospora includes nectrioid fungi that grow on polypores and xylariaceous fungi. The collections growing on xylariaceous fungi have been identified recently as Cosmospora viliuscula. In this paper the phylogeny and taxonomy of C. viliuscula are investigated. A phylogeny was generated with maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods applied to a three-partition dataset (ITS, 28S, MCM7-RPB1-TUB2). Based on these results, we demonstrate that Cosmospora viliuscula represents a diverse species complex comprising more than 10 species. Seven new species are described, including three single-strain lineages, and the sexual states of C. arxii and C. khandalensis are described for the first time. The sexual states of these fungi tend to have a high degree of morphological homoplasy, making it difficult to differentiate among them based on morphological characters alone. However, the apparent host specificity of species in this complex aide in the diagnosis of these fungi. In addition, the RPB1 marker provides sufficient resolution to distinguish these fungi.

Diversity and potential impact of Calonectria species in Eucalyptus plantations in Brazil

Species in the genus Calonectria (Hypocreales) represent an important group of plant pathogenic fungi that cause serious losses to plant crops in tropical and subtropical climates. Calonectria leaf blight is currently one of the main impediments to Eucalyptus cultivation in Brazil, and various species of Calonectria have been associated with this disease. Since most previous identifications were solely based on morphological characters, much of the published literature needs to be re-evaluated. The aim of this study was thus to identify and determine the phylogenetic relationships among species that occur in the Eucalyptus growing regions of Brazil by using partial sequences of the β-tubulin, calmodulin, translation elongation factor 1-α and histone H3 gene regions. Based on extensive collections from soil and infected eucalypt leaf samples from plantations, phylogenetic inference revealed the Ca. pteridis complex to be the most common species complex present in Eucalyptus plantations in Brazil. By elucidating taxa in the Ca. pteridis, Ca. cylindrospora and Ca. candelabra species complexes, 20 novel Calonectria species were identified, and a new name in Calonectria provided for Cylindrocladium macrosporum as Ca. pseudopteridis.

First Report of Colletotrichum karstii Causing Anthracnose on Blueberry Leaves in Brazil

Anthracnose or ripe rot of blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) is caused predominantly by Colletotrichum fioriniae, which belongs to the C. acutatum complex since it has cylindrical conidia with both ends acute (2). In May 2013, an isolate typical of the C. boninense complex (cylindrical conidia with both ends rounded) (1) was obtained from leaves of southern highbush blueberry seedlings in a nursery located in the municipality of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The symptoms initially appear as circular, necrotic lesions 10 to 30 mm in diameter. At high humidity, lesions expand rapidly to cover the entire foliar surface, leading to severe defoliation of the seedlings. This disease occurred in 100% of the seedlings, causing serious losses in the nursery. A single-conidium culture was obtained on potato-dextrose-agar (PDA) medium followed by morphological and molecular characterization. This culture was deposited at the culture collection of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Brazil (Accession No. COAD 1741). Conidia were cylindrical, aseptate, hyaline, rounded at both ends, and 11 to 16 μm (μ = 13) long and 5 to 6 μm (μ = 5.5) wide (n = 100). For the molecular characterization, sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and β-tubulin 2 (βt) regions were obtained and deposited in GenBank (KM055653 to KM055655). A search of the Q-bank Fungi database using the ITS, βt, and GAPDH sequences retrieved C. karstii with 100, 99, and 100% identities, respectively. Based on morphological and molecular data, the fungus was identified as C. karstii. To verify pathogenicity, 20 leaves from the upper branches of 1-m tall blueberry seedlings were inoculated with 6-mm-diameter plugs from a 7-day-old culture. PDA plugs were placed on the leaves of seedlings to serve as the control. Initially, seedlings were maintained at 25 ± 2°C in the dark. Thereafter, seedlings were covered with plastic bags and transferred to a greenhouse. Anthracnose symptoms on the leaves were observed at 5 days after inoculation. Seedlings from the control treatment remained symptomless. The fungus was re-isolated from the necrotic lesions, confirming Koch's postulates. C. karstii has a wide host range and in Brazil has been previously reported on Bombax aquaticum, Carica papaya, Eugenia uniflora, Malus domestica, and Mangifera indica (1,3,4). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C. karstii causing anthracnose on the leaves of blueberry seedlings in Brazil or worldwide. Due to the high disease severity and intense defoliation of blueberry seedlings, this pathogen represents a new threat for nurseries. Therefore, control strategies should be investigated for this disease. References: (1) U. Damm et al. Stud. Mycol. 73:1, 2012. (2) U. Damm et al. Stud. Mycol. 73:37, 2012. (3) Lima et al. Plant Dis. 97:1248, 2014. (4) Velho et al. Plant Dis. 98:157, 2014.

First Report of Leaf Spot Caused by Myrothecium roridum on Coffea canephora in Brazil

Coffea canephora (conilon coffee) represents approximately 30% of the coffee marketed worldwide. The state of Espírito Santo is the largest conilon coffee-producing state in Brazil. In 2013 and 2014, leaves with a leaf spot were observed on most of the conilon coffee seedlings in a commercial nursery in Laranja da Terra, Espírito Santo, Brazil. The infected leaves were deposited in the VIC Herbarium (VIC 42482) and a pure single-spore culture of the pathogen was deposited in the culture collection of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (Accession No. COAD 1729). The initial symptoms were circular, brown to dark brown lesions with yellow margins occurring on both leaf surfaces. In high humidity, concentric rings formed and the lesions expanded rapidly to reach up to 30 mm in diameter, and later became dark brown with a grayish center. Black sporodochia with white, and marginal mycelial tuffs bearing black spore masses were observed in the older lesions. These symptoms were consistent with those of Myrothecium leaf spot reported on Coffea spp. (3). Microscopic observation revealed aseptate, hyaline, and cylindrical conidia, rounded at both ends, greenish to black in mass, and 5 to 6 μm long and 1 to 2 μm wide. The symptoms and morphological characteristics described above matched the description of Myrothecium roridum Tode (4). To confirm this identification, DNA was extracted using a Wizard Genomic DNA Purification Kit and the sequence of an internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was obtained and deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KJ815095). The sequence of the ITS region exhibited 100% identity over 561 bp with another M. roridum sequence in GenBank (JF343832). To verify the pathogenicity of the fungus, healthy leaves of the C. canephora clones 12v and 14 (four seedlings each) were wounded superficially with a sterilized needle and inoculated by spraying them with a suspension of M. roridum conidia (10⁶ conidia ml^-1). The seedlings were covered with plastic bags and incubated in a growth chamber at 25°C under a photoperiod of 12 h light/12 h dark for 5 days. The control seedlings were sprayed with distilled water and incubated similarly. Fifteen days after inoculation, symptoms in all inoculated seedlings were consistent with those initially observed on the naturally infected seedlings, whereas the controls remained healthy. Re-isolation and identification confirmed Koch's postulates. M. roridum has a wide host range, and symptoms were similar to those reported in other hosts of the pathogen in Brazil (2,3). There is only one report of M. roridum on C. canephora in Colombia (1); however, this pathogen was previously reported on C. arabica in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands (1,3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of a leaf spot caused by M. roridum on conilon coffee in Brazil. The cultivation of conilon coffee is increasing and the reported leaf spot disease affects the quality of the seedlings in nurseries. It is therefore important to conduct a thorough study of management strategies for this disease. References: (1) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab. ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases , 27 May 2014. (2) A. M. Quezado Duval et al. Braz. J. Microbiol. 41:246, 2010. (3) S. F. Silveira et al. Fitopatol. Bras. 32:440, 2007. (4) M. Tulloch. Mycol. Pap. No. 130. CMI, Wallingford, UK, 1972.

First Report of Anthracnose on Pepper Fruit Caused by Colletotrichum scovillei in Brazil

Anthracnose is major disease of pepper (Capsicum annum) in the tropics and causes severe damage both in the field and postharvest. In Brazil, this disease is caused by Colletotrichum acutatum, C. boninense, C. capsici, C. coccodes, and C. gloeosporioides, where the first species is responsible for 70% of all occurrences (3). Recently, C. acutatum has been considered a species complex (1); thus, the aim of this study was to verify the etiology of anthracnose on peppers using a morphological and molecular approaches. In 2011, pepper fruits with typical symptoms of anthracnose (dark, sunken spots with concentric rings of orange conidial masses) were collected in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. A single spore isolate was obtained on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and the derived culture was deposited in the Coleção de Culturas de Fungos Fitopatogênicos "Prof. Maria Menezes" (code CMM-4200). The upper side colonies on PDA were gray, cotton-like, and pale gray to pale orange. Conidia were hyaline, aseptate, smooth, straight, cylindrical with round ends or occasionally with end ± acute, 12.5 to 17 μm long and 3.5 to 4 μm wide on synthetic nutrient deficient agar. The isolate was morphologically typical of species belonging to the C. acutatum complex. Molecular identification of the pathogen was carried out and sequences of the regions internal transcribed spacer (ITS), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and β-tubulin (βt) were obtained and deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos. KJ541821 to KJ541823). A search in the Q-bank fungi database using the ITS, βt, and GAPDH sequences retrieved C. scovillei with 100% identity for all three genes. This pathogen was previously reported in Capsicum spp. only in Thailand, Indonesia, and Japan (1,2). To confirm pathogenicity, drops with 10⁵ spores/ml were deposited in 10 artificially wounded fruits (cv. Itapuã 501 and Melina). In control fruits, drops of sterilized water were deposited onto wounds. The fruits were covered for one day with a transparent plastic bag with moisture supplied by a wet filter paper. The fruits were detached and mature. The bags were removed, and the fruits were incubated for 10 days in a growth chamber at 25°C with a photoperiod of 12 h. After 4 days, gray-brown to black sunken spots with concentric rings were observed on 100% of the wounded fruits that had been inoculated. No disease was observed on the control fruits. The fungus C. scovillei was successfully re-isolated from symptomatic fruits to fulfill Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of anthracnose on pepper fruit caused by C. scovillei in Brazil. Due to the diversity of species that cause anthracnose in Capsicum, future studies using morphological and molecular tools are essential for the correct identification of Colletotrichum spp. on pepper in Brazil. References: (1) U. Damm et al. Stud. Mycol. 73:37, 2012. (2) T. Kanto et al. J. Gen. Plant. Pathol. 80:73, 2014. (3) M. J. Z. Pereira et al. Hortic. Bras. 29:569, 2011.

First Report of Curvularia eragrostidis Causing Postharvest Rot on Pineapple in Brazil

Pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merril.) is the main plant of the Bromeliaceae, cultivated economically for the fruits' appealing flavor and a refreshing sugar-acid balance. In 2013, fruits with no initially visible symptoms began to show a postharvest rot after 3 days in a market in the municipality of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The rot can rarely be detected from the outside of the fruit, but a longitudinal section allows observation of extension of the affected area toward the center of the fruit. The symptoms initially appear as a dark brown to black rot on surface of the fruits, which gradually enlarges in size, leading to increased rot and disposal of infected fruits. Until now, this disease occurred sporadically and caused small losses. A fungus was isolated from rot observed in fruits from cultivar Pérola and a single-spore culture was deposited in the culture collection of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (Accession No. COAD 1588). After 7 days of incubation at 25°C, the strain displayed radial growth and gray-white to black colonies. Microscopic observations revealed brown to light brown conidiophores present singly or in groups. The septate, simple or rarely branched conidiophores are straight or curved, up to 245 μm long and 5 μm wide, and some have a geniculate growth pattern near the apex. The conidia are ellipsoidal or barrel-shaped and 22 to 25 μm long and 10 to 12.5 μm wide. The median septum appears as a black band and the cells at each end of the conidia are pale, whereas the intermediate cells are brown or dark brown. Based on morphological characteristics, the fungus was identified as Curvularia eragrostidis (4). To confirm this identification, DNA was extracted and sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), 28S and 18S rDNA regions were obtained and deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos. KJ541818 to KJ541820). The sequence of the ITS region exhibited 99% identity over 530 bp with other C. eragrostidis sequence in GenBank (JN943449) and Bayesian inference analysis placed our isolate in the same clade with others C. eragrostidis (study S15670 deposited in TreeBASE). Koch's postulates were conducted by inoculating six fruits of pineapple previously disinfected with 2% sodium hypochlorite and washed in sterile distilled water. For inoculation, the isolate was grown in potato dextrose agar (PDA) for 15 days at 25°C. Six millimeter diameter disks were removed from the surface of fruits with a sterile cork borer and replaced with PDA disks containing mycelia from the margins of the culture. An agar plug was deposited in three control fruits and all fruits were maintained at 25°C in plastic trays. Inoculated fruits showed symptoms 7 days after inoculation that were similar to those initially observed in the infected fruits, while control fruits showed no symptoms. C. eragrostidis is a cosmopolitan pathogen that infects hosts from several botanical families (2,4). In Brazil, this fungus causes leaf spot on A. comosus (3) and also infects Allium sativum, Dioscorea alata, D. cayenensis, Oryza sativa, Sorghum bicolor, Vigna unguiculata, and Zea mays (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. eragrostidis causing postharvest rot disease in pineapple in Brazil. Because invasion of the fungus can occur through minute fractures, fruits should be carefully handled to avoid mechanical damage. References: (1) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases , 18 February 2014. (2) D. S. Manamgoda et al. Fungal Divers. 51:3, 2011. (3) J. J. Ponte et al. Fitopatologia 10:21, 1975. (4) A. Sivanesan. Mycological Papers 158:113, 1987.

Endophytic and mycorrhizal fungi associated with roots of endangered native orchids from the Atlantic Forest, Brazil

The composition and diversity of fungal communities associated with three endangered orchid species, Hadrolaelia jongheana, Hoffmannseggella caulescens, and Hoffmannseggella cinnabarina, found in different vegetation formations of the Atlantic Forest were determined by constructing clone libraries and by applying diversity and richness indices. Our results demonstrated the presence of Basidiomycetes. Sebacinales (81.61%) and Cantharellales (12.10%) were the dominant orders and are potential candidates for orchid mycorrhizal fungi. The Ascomycetes identified included the Helotiales (29.31%), Capnodiales (18.10%), and Sordariales (10.34%), among others. These orders may represent potentially endophytic fungi. A Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H') analysis showed a relatively high fungal community diversity associated with these tropical orchids. This diversity may offer greater flexibility in terms of the adaptation of the plants to changing environmental conditions and the potential facilitation of reintroduction programs. The Simpson diversity index values showed that all of the libraries included dominant species, and a LIBSHUFF analysis showed that the fungal communities were structurally different from each other, suggesting an influence of local factors on this diversity. This study offers important information for the development of conservation strategies for threatened and endemic species of Brazilian flora in an important and threatened hotspot.

Colletotrichum boninense Causing Anthracnose on Coffee Trees in Brazil

In Brazil, dieback and necrosis of leaves and berries of coffee trees (Coffea arabica and C. canephora) are common symptoms of anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc. In April 2010, these symptoms were observed in 100% of the plants from different coffee plantations in the Brazilian states of Espírito Santo and Bahia. Ten isolates were obtained from symptomatic leaves and berries from these areas. Of the 10 isolates, one had distinct conidial morphology with hyaline and ellipsoid conidia measuring 10 to 16 × 5.0 to 7.5 μm and melanized irregular or spatulated-shaped appressoria measuring 7.5 to 11.0 × 5.5 to 8.5 μm, formed either solitary or concatenated, which concurred with the conidia description of Colletotrichum boninense. In order to confirm the identity of this isolate, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA region and the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene were sequenced (GenBank Accession Nos. JF683320 and JF331654, respectively) and compared to sequences from a database of C. boninense, confirming that the isolate was definitely C. boninense sensu lato, since it was exactly identical to other sequences in a large clade of isolates. To verify the pathogenicity of C. boninense in coffee and to compare the symptoms with those caused by C. gloeosporioides, leaves and berries were inoculated with the isolate of C. boninense and one representative isolate of C. gloeosporioides, both expressing the GFP (green fluorescent protein) gene. The isolates were grown for 7 days on potato dextrose agar and a conidial suspension (10⁶ conidia × ml^-1) was used to inoculate the organs, wounded and non-wounded, at different stages of development. In non-wounded organs, the conidial suspension was inoculated on the surface, and in leaves and berries used as control, the suspensions were substituted for sterile water. Leaves and berries were wounded with a sterilized needle and inoculated with 20 and 10 μl of the conidial suspension, respectively. Inoculated materials were incubated at 25°C and 100% relative humidity. The experiment was performed twice and evaluated daily for a week. No symptoms were observed on the control and non-wounded organs, while wounded organs exhibited typical anthracnose symptoms for both species. In berries, C. gloeosporioides consistently caused more severe symptoms at a faster rate than C. boninense. Both fungi caused necrosis in young but not old leaves. Typical acervuli were observed on the lesions and the fungus was successfully recovered from the inoculated tissues, which was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy, fulfilling Koch's Postulates. C. boninense has been identified as a pathogen causing anthracnose in a range of hosts worldwide. However, in Brazil, it has only been reported in pepper (Capsicum annuum) (3), passion fruit (Passiflora) (4), Hippeastrum (1) and in the medicinal plant Maytenus ilicifolia (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. boninense associated with anthracnose of coffee trees in Brazil. Since the symptoms are similar to those caused by C. gloeosporioides, it can be stated that both species are associated with this disease in commercial coffee plantations in Brazil. Therefore, control strategies should consider the occurrence of C. boninense. References: (1) D. F. Farr et al. Mycol. Res. 110:1395, 2006. (2) S. A. Pileggi et al. Can. J. Microbiol. 55:1076, 2009. (3) H. J. Tozze et al. Plant Dis. 93:106, 2009. (4) H. J. Tozze et al. Australas. Plant Dis. Notes 5:70, 2010.

First Report of Leaf Spot Caused by Phyllosticta yuccae on Yucca filamentosa in Brazil

Yucca filamentosa L. (Agavaceae), commonly known as Adam's needle, is known in Brazil as "agulha-de-adão." It is an ornamental garden plant with medicinal properties (4). In 2010, 100% of Y. filamentosa seedlings and plants were observed with a severe leaf spot disease in two ornamental nurseries located in the municipality of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Initially, lesions were dark brown, elliptical, and scattered, and later became grayish at the center with a reddish brown margin, irregular and coalescent. Infected leaf samples were deposited in the herbarium at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (Accession Nos. VIC32054 and VIC32055). A fungus was isolated from the leaf spots and single-spore pure cultures were obtained on potato dextrose agar (PDA). The sporulating single-spore cultures were deposited at the Coleção de Culturas de Fungos Fitopatogênicos "Prof. Maria Menezes" (CMM 1843 and CMM 1844). On the leaf, the fungus produced pycnidial conidiomata that were scattered or gregarious, usually epiphyllous, immersed, dark brown, unilocular, subglobose, and 95 to 158 × 108 to 175 μm, with a minute, subcircular ostiole. Conidiogenous cells were blastic, hyaline, conoidal, or short cylindrical. Conidia were aseptate, hyaline, smooth walled, coarsely granular, broadly ellipsoidal to subglobose or obovate, usually broadly rounded at both ends, occasionally truncate at the base or indented slightly at the apex, and 7.5 to 13.5 × 6 to 10 μm. Conidia were also surrounded by a slime layer, usually with a hyaline, flexuous, narrowly conoidal or cylindrical, mucilaginous apical appendage that was 10 to 16 μm long. Spermatia were hyaline, dumbbell shaped to cylindrical, both ends bluntly rounded, and 3 to 5 × 1 to 1.5 μm. These characteristics matched well with the description of Phyllosticta yuccae Bissett (1). To confirm this identification, DNA was extracted using a Wizard Genomic DNA Purification Kit and amplified using primers ITS1 and ITS4 (2) for the ITS region (GenBank Accession Nos. JX227945 and JX227946) and EF1-F and EF2-R (3) for the TEF-1α (JX227947 and JX227948). The sequencing was performed by Macrogen, South Korea. The ITS sequence matched sequence No. JN692541, P. yuccae, with 100% identity. To confirm Koch's postulates, four leaves of Y. filamentosa (five plants) were inoculated with 6-mm-diameter plugs from a 7-day-old culture growing on PDA. The leaves were covered with plastic sack and plants were maintained at 25°C. In a similar manner, fungus-free PDA plugs were placed on five control plants. Symptoms were consistently similar to those initially observed in the nurseries and all plants developed leaf spots by 15 days after inoculation. P. yuccae was successfully reisolated from the symptomatic tissue and control plants remained symptomless. P. yuccae has been previously reported in Canada, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Iran, and the United States of America. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. yuccae causing disease in Y. filamentosa in Brazil and it may become a serious problem for the nurseries, due to the severity of the disease and the lack of chemical products to control this pathogen. References: (1) J. Bissett. Can. J. Bot. 64:1720, 1986. (2) M. A. Innis et al. PCR Protocols: A guide to methods and applications. Academic Press, 1990. (3) Jacobs et al. Mycol. Res. 108:411, 2004. (4) H. Lorenzi and H. M. Souza. Plantas Ornamentais no Brasil. Instituto Plantarum, 2001.

First Report of Curvularia gladioli Causing a Leaf Spot on Gladiolus grandiflorus in Brazil

Gladiolus (Iridaceae) is a popular bulbous plant grown worldwide as an ornamental garden plant or cut flower due to its attractive color, size, and flower shape. In April 2012, leaf spots were observed on plants of Gladiolus grandiflorus varieties T-704 and Amsterdam growing in a production area of cut flowers located in the city of Viçosa, Minas Gerais. The oval to round leaf spots were brown with a dark border surrounded by a halo of yellow tissue. Infected leaf samples were deposited in the herbarium at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (VIC31897). A fungus was isolated from the leaf spots and a single-spore pure culture was initiated and grown on corn meal carrot agar (CCA) medium in petri dishes incubated at 25°C under a 12-h photoperiod for 4 weeks. A sporulating single-spore culture was deposited at the Coleção de Culturas de fungos fitopatogênicos "Prof. Maria Menezes" (UFRPE, Brazil) code CMM 4055. On CCA medium, the fungal isolate initially appeared white, becoming dark after 14 days. Thirty conidia and conidiophores were measured for identification to species. The septate, smooth to pale brown conidiophores were present singly or in groups. The simple, straight or flexuous conidiophores were 42.5 to 82.5 × 3.5 to 7.5 μm and some had a geniculate growth pattern. The majority of conidia were curved at the third (central) cell from the base, which was usually enlarged compared to the end cells. The cells at each end of the 3-distoseptate conidia were pale brown, the intermediate cell brown or dark brown, and the third (central) cell was often the darkest. The basal cell had a protuberant hilum. Conidia were smooth and 20.0 to 33.5 × 10 to 17.5 μm. These characteristics matched well with the description of Curvularia gladioli (1). To confirm this identification, DNA was extracted using a Wizard Genomic DNA Purification Kit and the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of rDNA was amplified using ITS1 and ITS4 primers and the partial 28S rDNA region using primers LR0R and LR5. The sequences were deposited in GenBank as accession nos. JX995106 and JX995107, respectively. The ITS sequence matched sequence AF071337, C. gladioli, with 100% identity. This pathogen was first identified as C. lunata, but based on the characteristic of the hilum, spore size, and pathogenicity testing, the fungus was renamed C. trifolii f. sp. gladioli (3). Due to the explicit curvature of the conidia at the third cell and molecular data, the fungus was reclassified as C. gladioli (1,2). To confirm Koch's postulates, 1-month-old healthy plants of G. grandiflorus var. T-704 and Amsterdam (five plants each) were inoculated with a conidial suspension (2 × 10⁴ conidia mL^-1) by spraying the foliage and then placed on a growth chamber at 25°C. The control plants were sprayed with distilled water. Symptoms were consistent with those initially observed and all plants developed leaf spots by 4 days post-inoculation. C. gladioli was consistently recovered from the symptomatic tissue and control plants remained symptomless. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. gladioli causing leaf spot on G. grandiflorus in Brazil. Due to a lack of chemical fungicides for management of this pathogen, further studies to evaluate the susceptibility of the main varieties of gladiolus grown in Brazil to C. gladioli may be necessary. References: (1) G. H. Boerema and M. E. C. Hamers. Neth. J. Plant Pathol. 95:1, 1989. (2) D. S. Manamgoda et al. Fungal Divers. 56:131, 2012. (3) J. A. Parmelee. Mycologia 48:558, 1956.

Corynespora cassiicola f. sp. schinii, a Potential Biocontrol Agent for the Weed Schinus terebinthifolius in the United States

Schinus terebinthifolius (Anacardiaceae), Brazilian peppertree (BP), is a major environmental weed in many tropical and subtropical areas of the globe, including Florida, Hawai'i, and Australia. This plant has been the target of a classical biocontrol project in the United States involving pathogens collected in Brazil for several years. A fungus was found in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo causing leaf spots and severe foliage blight on BP. Examination of the morphology and internal transcribed spacer sequence analysis confirmed that the fungus is a strain of Corynespora cassiicola. Preliminary host-range tests involving 24 species, including 11 species in the family Anacardiaceae, were conducted with the fungus, and specificity toward BP was confirmed. Plants of Brazilian pepper tree from populations in Florida and Hawai'i included in the tests became severely diseased. Therefore, the recognition of a new forma specialis-Corynespora cassiicola f. sp. schinii-is proposed. The specificity of this forma specialis and the severity of the disease it caused in the field and under controlled conditions indicate that it has the potential for use as a biocontrol agent for BP in areas where it is an exotic invasive species.

Novel and highly diverse fungal endophytes in soybean revealed by the consortium of two different techniques

Fungal endophytes were isolated from the leaves of soybean cultivars in Brazil using two different isolation techniques - fragment plating and the innovative dilution-to-extinction culturing - to increase the species richness, frequency of isolates and diversity. A total of 241 morphospecies were obtained corresponding to 62 taxa that were identified by analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA). The Phylum Ascomycota predominated, representing 99% and 95.2% of isolates in the Monsoy and Conquista cultivars, respectively, whereas the Phylum Basidiomycota represented 1% and 4.8% of isolates, respectively. The genera Ampelomyces, Annulohypoxylon, Guignardia, Leptospora, Magnaporthe, Ophiognomonia, Paraconiothyrium, Phaeosphaeriopsis, Rhodotorula, Sporobolomyces, and Xylaria for the first time were isolated from soybean; this suggests that soybean harbours novel and highly diverse fungi. The yeasts genera Rhodotorula and Sporobolomyces (subphylum Pucciniomycotina) represent the Phylum Basidiomycota. The species richness was greater when both isolation techniques were used. The diversity of fungal endophytes was similar in both cultivars when the same isolation technique was used except for Hill's index, N1. The use of ITS region sequences allowed the isolates to be grouped according to Order, Class and Phylum. Ampelomyces, Chaetomium, and Phoma glomerata are endophytic species that may play potential roles in the biological control of soybean pathogens. This study is one of the first to apply extinction-culturing to isolate fungal endophytes in plant leaves, thus contributing to the development and improvement of this technique for future studies.

First Report of Leaf Spot Disease Caused by Cercosporella pfaffiae on Brazilian Ginseng (Pfaffia glomerata) in Brazil

Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng) Pedersen (Amaranthaceae) and other species in this genus, popularly known as "Brazilian ginseng," have been marketed and used for many years in folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases (1). In January 2012, samples of P. glomerata with leaf spots were collected in the city of Viçosa, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Two samples were deposited in the herbarium at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (VIC31849 and VIC31851). The diseased leaves were examined using a stereomicroscope (75×). The fungal structures were scraped with a scalpel from the plant surface and mounted in lactophenol. Thirty measurements of all of the relevant morphological characters were obtained using light microscopy for the identification of the species. To confirm the identification, fungal DNA from single-spore pure culture was isolated from the diseased leaves on PDA, and the DNA was amplified using primers ITS1 and ITS4 for the ITS region (GenBank Accession No. JQ990331) and LR0R and LR5 for partial 28S rDNA (Accession No. JQ990330). Sequencing was performed by Macrogen, Korea. The symptoms observed were leaf spots, subcircular, usually up to 6 mm diameter, initially yellowish becoming brown to reddish, margin indefinite, with the formation of fungal structures, hypophyllous, white, scattered, or grouped. Conidiophores were very numerous in dense subsynnematal fascicles, moderately brown at the base but for most of the length subhyaline, 42.5 to 350 × 2.5 to 3.5 μm, showing conidial scars. Conidia formed singly, 22.5 to 77.5 × 5 to 6 μm, hyaline, hilum slightly thickened, and refractive. These characteristics show that the fungus found on P. glomerata matched well with the description of Cercosporella pfaffiae (2). Koch's postulates were fulfilled by inoculation of 6-mm-diameter PDA plugs with the isolate mycelia on leaves of P. glomerata. Six plants were inoculated with the isolate and six plants were inoculated with an isolate-free agar plug. Inoculated plants were maintained in a moist chamber for 24 hours and subsequently in a greenhouse at 26°C. Leaf spot was observed in inoculated plants 15 days after inoculation, and symptoms were similar to those in the field. All non-inoculated plants remained healthy. A Megablast search of the NCBI GenBank nucleotide sequence database using the ITS sequence retrieved C. virgaureae as the closest match [GenBank GU214658; Identity = 458/476 (96%), Gaps = 2/476 (0%)]. To confirm the identification, Bayesian inference analyses were employed, and the tree was deposited in TreeBASE (Study S12680). The analysis placed our isolate in the same clade with the type species of Cercosporella. Molecular studies and morphological characteristics confirm our identification. C. pfaffiae has been previously reported in P. iresinoides (H.B.K.) Spreng. in Trinidad and Gomphrena glomerata L. in Argentina (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. pfaffiae causing disease in P. glomerata in Brazil and it may become a serious problem for some medicinal plant growers, due to the severity of the disease and the lack of chemical products for this pathogen. References: (1) Neto et al. J. Ethnopharmacol. 96:87, 2005. (2) U. Braun. A Monograph of Cercosporella, Ramularia and Allied Genera (Phytopathogenic Hyphomycetes). Eching bei Müchen, IHW-Verlage. Vol. 1, p. 68, 1995.

First Report of Collar and Root Rot of Physic Nut (Jatropha curcas) Caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum in Brazil

Physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.; Euphorbiaeae) has become important in Brazil due to its potential as a feedstock for biodiesel production. In October 2010, during routine monitoring of fields in the state of Piauí, several plants were observed with symptoms of collar and root rot. Initially, plants appeared withered and chlorotic, and later became defoliated. Roots and collars of affected plants also appeared rotten with black fungal structures directly observed. Symptomatic tissue fragments of 5 mm diameter were washed with 70% ethanol, 1% sodium hypochlorite, and sterilized water, before being placed in petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 25°C. Pure cultures were then obtained by single-spore isolation. The fungus isolated was grown on plates containing 2% water agar overlaid with sterilized corn straw or pine twigs and incubated at 25°C under a photoperiod of 12 h for 4 weeks to induce the formation of fruiting bodies. Thirty measurements of all of the relevant morphological characters were made using a light microscope for the identification of the species. On PDA, isolates initially appeared white and became dark after 7 days. The aerial mycelia formed chains of zero- to one-septate arthroconidia, oblong to globose, initially hyaline that became brown and with a thick wall with age. The dimensions of arthroconidia were 4 to 12 × 2.5 to 8 μm. The formation of pycnidia was observed on the plates with corn straw and pines twigs. These were dark, with a globose base up to 250 μm and a neck up to 810 μm. Conidiogenous cells were holoblastic, lageniform to ampulliform, hyaline, and 6 to 10 × 1.5 to 2.5 μm. Conidia were hyaline, ellipsoid to nearly fusiform, and 8 to 12 × 4 to 5 μm. Septate and dark conidia were not observed. DNA was extracted from one isolate following Wizard Genomic DNA Purification Kit procedures and amplified using primers ITS1 and ITS4. Products were directly sequencing by Macrogen, Korea. The 856-bp sequence obtained was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JQ927342). The sequence was 99% similar to Neoscytalidium dimidiatum (Penz.) Crous & Slippers, further supporting the identification by morphology. Pathogenicity tests were conducted by using 6 mm disks removed from the outer bark of the collar region of healthy plants using a sterile cork borer, and 6-mm diameter plugs were placed in each wound. Five plants were inoculated with the isolate and five plants inoculated with an isolate-free agar plug. Below these, pieces of moistened cotton were placed and covered with Parafilm. After 60 days, all inoculated plants reproduced the symptoms observed in the field, and the pathogen was successfully reisolated. All non-inoculated plants remained healthy. The genus Neoscytalidium includes species having Scytalidium-like synanamorphs in the aerial mycelia and Fusicoccum-like conidia in the pycnidia (1). Currently, this species is reported to cause diseases in fig, mango, and orange (2,3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of collar and rot root caused by N. dimidiatum in J. curcas and of this fungus in Brazil. It seems likely the disease exists in areas beyond Piauí and could cause important losses for biodiesel production. References: (1) P. W. Crous et al. Stud. Mycol. 55:235, 2006. (2) G. Polizzi et al. Plant Dis. 93:1215, 2009. (3) J. D. Ray et al. Austral. Plant Dis. Notes 5:48, 2010.

Assessment of the efficiency of essential oils in the preservation of postharvest papaya in an antimicrobial packaging system

Rot and damage caused by post-harvest phytopathogenic fungi affect fruit quality. Essential oils (EO) are considered as an alternative to fungicides. Postharvest diseases of fruits may also be controlled by the bagging approach and the use of antimicrobial packaging. Based on the beneficial properties of EO and the concepts of bagging and antimicrobial packaging, this study aimed to develop sachets containing EO to be used as part of an antimicrobial packaging system. The activities of oregano, cinnamon and lemon grass EO were evaluated testing the sachets in vitro against the phytopathogenic fungi Alternaria alternata, Fusarium semitectum, Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Rhizopus stolonifer. The effects of the sachets on the microbiological and physicochemical parameters of post-harvest papaya were also evaluated. Both pure and sachet-incorporated EO showed antifungal activity in vitro against all tested fungi. For papaya, sachets containing cinnamon, oregano and lemon grass showed a significant reduction in the growth of mesophilic aerobic bacteria, yeasts and mould, with the cinnamon sachet causing the greatest reduction in microorganisms at the end of the storage time. Physicochemical parameters of papaya, such as weight loss, colour, firmness, total soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio and pH were not significantly altered by the presence of EO sachets, thus not affecting the natural ripening process of the papaya.

First Report of Cercospora apii Leaf Spot on Capsicum chinense in Brazil

In Brazil, Capsicum chinense Jacq. is the predominant species of commercial hot peppers because of its popular citrus-like aroma and adaptability to different soils and climates (4). In June 2010, 30 samples of C. chinense with severe leaf spot were collected from a field in the city of Viçosa, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Symptoms were observed on leaves, calyxes, fruits, and stems on most of the plants found in the area. On leaves, symptoms included amphigenous lesions that were initially circular to ellipsoid, 1 to 5 mm in diameter, whitish to tan in the center, and surrounded by a dark brown or reddish purple border. Lesions coalesce and turned necrotic with age. A fungus isolated from the lesions matched well with the description of Cercospora apii Fresen. It formed erumpent stromata that were dark brown and spherical to irregular; fascicule conidiophores were clear brown or pale, straight or curved, unbranched, geniculate, 22.5 to 80 × 5 to 7.5 μm, 0 to 3 septate, subtruncate apex; and conidia were solitary, hyaline to subhyaline, filiform, base truncate, tip acute, straight to curved, 12.5 to 140 × 3.5 to 5 μm, and 0 to 11 septate (1,2). A sample was deposited in the herbarium of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil (VIC 31415). Identity was confirmed by amplifying part of the calmodulin gene with species-specific primers CercoCal-apii and CercoCal-R (3) of fungal DNA from a single-spore culture. In amplification reaction, initial denaturation step was done at 94°C for 5 min, followed by 40 cycles of denaturation at 94°C (30 s), annealing at 56°C (30 s), and elongation at 72°C (30 s). Primers CercoCal-apii and CercoCal-R amplified a single DNA product of 176 bp, and coupled with the morphological characteristics, confirmed the identity of the fungus as Cercospora apii. To check pathogenicity, a 6-mm-diameter plug of the isolate was removed from the expanding edge of a 21-day-old culture grown on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and placed in contact with the adaxial face of the leaves of 8-week-old C. chinense grown in 2-liter plastic pots with soil substrate. Six plants, one per pot, were inoculated with the isolate and six plants were inoculated with the fungus-free PDA plug. Inoculated plants were maintained in a moist chamber for 24 h and then subsequently kept in a greenhouse at 26°C. Leaf spot was observed in all inoculated plants 15 days after inoculation and symptoms were similar to those expressed in the field. The fungus was reisolated from the inoculated plants and matched well with the description of Cercospora apii. All fungus-free PDA inoculated plants remained healthy. Cercospora apii comprises a complex of 281 morphologically indistinguishable species that can infect an extremely wide host range (2). To our knowledge, this pathogen has the potential to cause significant damage to the hot pepper industry of Brazil. References: (1) C. Chupp. A Monograph of the Fungus Cercospora. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 1954. (2) P. W. Crous and U. Braun. CBS Biodivers. Ser. 1:1, 2003. (3) M. Groenewald et al. Phytopathology 95:951, 2005. (4) S. D. Lannes et al. Sci. Hortic. 112:266, 2007.

First Report of Leaf Blight on Rubus brasiliensis Caused by Colletotrichum acutatum in Brazil

There are more than 300 blackberry (Rubus) species worldwide. Rubus brasiliensis Mart. is a native Brazilian species found in tropical forests. In January 2009, samples of R. brasiliensis with severe leaf blight were collected from an area of rain forest in the city of São Miguel do Anta, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Dark spots began developing in the young leaves and progressed to necrotic spots with occasional twig dieback. From the spots, a fungus was isolated with the following morphology: acervuli that were 20 to 50.0 × 50 to 125.0 μm and hyaline amerospores that were ellipsoid and fusiform and 7.5 to 23.75 × 2.5 to 5.0 μm. On the basis of these morphological characteristics, the fungus was identified as Colletotrichum acutatum. In Brazil, C. acutatum is reported in apple, citrus, strawberry, peach, plum, nectarine, olive, medlar, and yerba-mate, but it was not reported as the causal agent of leaf blight in R. brasiliensis. A sample was deposited in the herbarium at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil (VIC 31210). One representative isolate, OLP 571, was used for pathogenicity testing and molecular studies. Identity was confirmed by amplifying the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the ribosomal RNA with primers ITS4 (3), CaInt2 (a specific primer for C. acutatum [2]) and CgInt (a specific primer for C. gloeosporioides [1]). Isolates of C. acutatum (DAR78874 and DAR78876) and C. gloeosporioides (DAR78875) obtained from Australian olive trees were used as positive controls. The primers ITS4 and CaInt2 amplified a single DNA product of 500 bp expected for C. acutatum. OLP 571 was grown for 7 days on potato dextrose agar. Young leaves of R. brasiliensis were inoculated with a conidial suspension (10⁶ conidia/ml) on young leaves. Inoculated plants were maintained in a moist chamber for 2 days and subsequently in a greenhouse at 25°C. Necrotic spots similar to those described were detected on young leaves 3 days after the inoculation. Control leaves, on which only water was sprayed, remained healthy. The same fungus was reisolated from the inoculated symptomatic tissues. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. acutatum causing leaf blight in the native species of R. brasiliensis in Brazil. References: (1) P. R. Mills et al. FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 98:137, 1999. (2) S. Sreenivasaprasad et al. Plant Pathol. 45:650, 1996. (3) T. J. White et al. Page 315 in: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. Academic Press, San Diego, 1990.

Additions to the mycobiota of the invasive weed Miconia calvescens (Melastomataceae)

Miconia calvescens (Melastomataceae) is a shrub or small tree native to the Neotropics that has become one of the worst invaders of forest ecosystems, particularly in Pacific islands such as Hawaii and French Polynesia. It has been a target for biological control for more than 10 y, both with arthropod and pathogen natural enemies. Until now Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. miconiae was the only organism to be used in biological control against this weed. This fungus was introduced both in Hawaii and in French Polynesia in the late 1990s/early 2000s, where it has caused some damage to the weed, but it became evident that additional agents are needed to achieve adequate control. Exploratory surveys for plant pathogens as potential biocontrol agents of M. calvescens were undertaken in Brazil, Costa Rica and Ecuador and yielded a diverse list of pathogens, including one phytoplasma, two nematodes, one oomycete and numerous fungi. A study including the description of five fungal species found attacking M. calvescens was published recently. Herein the following additional fungi also belonging to the mycobiota of M. calvescens are described: Hyalosphaera ornata sp. nov, Microsphaeropsis miconiae sp. nov., Myrothecium miconiae sp. nov., Phyllachora miconiiphila sp. nov., as well as Hyalosphaera miconiae, Lembosia melastomatum and Microsphaeropsis clidemiae, which are recorded here for the first time on this host. Although preliminary our observations of damage to M. calvescens caused by these seven fungal species did not indicate any potential for use in classical biological control.

Mortality of Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) workers in contact with colony waste from different plant sources

The objective of this work was to study the effect of colony waste on the mortality of workers of Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel colonies fed with different plant substrates. Eight nests were used; two colonies each were fed with Acalypha wilkesiana Müller.Arg, Ligustrum japonicum Thunb, Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake or a mixture of the three substrates in equal proportions. Irrespective of diet, being kept with waste led to higher mortality. However, workers that were kept in contact with waste produced by colonies fed Acalypha had higher average survival rate and later death when compared with workers from the other treatments. Workers from the Eucalyptus-fed colonies had the lowest survival rate and 50% of them died within four days of exposure to Eucalyptus waste. Trichoderma viride Pers. ex Gray, a fungus garden antagonist, and the entomopathogen Aspergillus flavus Link. ex Gray were present in the colonies supplied with all plants. The largest fungus diversity was verified in the waste of colonies fed Acalypha and the mixture of Acalypha, Ligustrum and Eucalyptus. Therefore, antibiotic properties of Acalypha did not reduce contaminant diversity but apparently minimized effects of pathogenic microorganisms present in the waste such as Asp. flavus. This may explain the highest survival rate of workers in this treatment.

Morphological and molecular characterization of mycorrhizal fungi isolated from neotropical orchids in Brazil

To initiate a conservation program of the Orchidaceae from the Brazilian Atlantic rain forest with the purpose of ex situ conservation or reintroduction in the State of Minas Gerais, seven mycorrhizal Rhizoctonia-like fungal strains were isolated from roots of seven neotropical orchid species from three different Atlantic rain forest fragments. Taxonomic studies revealed that the isolates belong to the genera Ceratorhiza and Epulorhiza. The Epulorhiza isolates were identified as Epulorhiza repens (N. Bernard) R.T. Moore and Epulorhiza epiphytica Pereira, Rollemberg et Kasuya. RAPD analysis indicated higher polymorphism between Epulorhiza epiphytica and Epulorhiza repens than found in the PCR–RFLP analysis. RAPD and morphological analyses indicated a degree of relatedness among the Ceratorhiza isolates obtained from the roots of different Oncidium species. A combination of morphological and molecular characterizations permitted integration of fungal strain identification with genetic relatedness among the isolates, thus allowing some inferences to be made on specificity of these endosymbionts under field conditions.Key words: biodiversity, Ceratorhiza, Epulorhiza, orchid mycorrhiza, Rhizoctonia-like, symbiosis, specificity.