Dans le cadre d’une convention de thèse CIFRE en collaboration de recherche entre la société Pollenergie et le Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), le potentiel antifongique de la propolis a été étudié. A cet effet, six échantillons de propolis provenant de régions géographiques différentes (France et Brésil) et d’origines botaniques variées (genre Populus, Dalbergia ecastophyllum et Baccharis dracunculifolia) ont été analysés.Les Extraits Ethanoliques de Propolis (EEP) mis au point, riches en composéspolyphénoliques (de 12,8 ± 0,4 à 16,2 ± 0,3 g EAG.l-1) présentent une grande diversité de classes de molécules bioactives selon leur origine botanique. Les polyphénols identifiés dans les extraits de propolis de Populus (France) sont principalement des flavonoïdes et leurs dérivés (galangine, pinobanksine, chrysine) et des acides-phénols (acides p-coumarique et caféique) et dans les extraits de propolis verte de Baccharis dracunculifolia et rouge de Dalbergia ecastophyllum (Brésil) ce sont respectivement des acides-phénols et leur dérivés prénylés (artépilline C, acide p-coumarique) et des composés isoflavonoïdiques (vestitol, médicarpine).Tous les EEP ont démontré un potentiel antifongique in vitro, variable selon les espèces botaniques, à deux stades de développement d’une souche phytopathogène (Colletotrichum musae), isolée de la pourriture de couronne de la banane. Deux extraits de Populus (France) en particulier ont montré la plus forte efficacité contre C. musae.Un extrait aqueux de propolis rouge de Dalbergia ecastophyllum a démontré la plus grande efficacité in vitro. Cet extrait, testé ensuite in vivo sur trois maladies de conservation de la banane a prouvé tout son potentiel antifongique comme traitement alternatif et son efficacité en augmentant la durée de conservation des bananes à l’export. / In the framework of a CIFRE thesis agreement in collaboration between Pollenergie and the Center for International Cooperation in Agronomic Research for Development (CIRAD), the antifungal potential of propolis has been studied. For this purpose, six samples of propolis from different geographical regions (France and Brazil) and various botanical origins (genus Populus, Dalbergiaecastophyllum and Baccharis dracunculifolia) were analyzed.The Ethanolic Extracts of Propolis (EEP) finalized, rich in polyphenolic compounds (from 12.8 ± 0.4 to 16.2 ± 0.3 g EAG.L-1), exhibit a great diversity of classes of bioactive molecules according to their botanical origin. The polyphenols identified in propolis extracts of Populus (France) are mainlyflavonoids and their derivatives (galangin, pinobanksin, chrysin) and acids-phenols (p-coumaric and caffeic acids). In contrast, the extracts of green propolis of Baccharis dracunculifolia and red from Dalbergia ecastophyllum (Brazil) they are respectively phenol acids and their prenylated derivatives(artepillin C, p-coumaric acid) and isoflavonoid compounds (vestitol, medicarpin).All EEPs have demonstrated an in vitro antifungal potential, which varies according to botanical species, at two stages of development of a phytopathogenic strain (Colletotrichum musae), isolated from the crown rot of banana. Two extracts of Populus (France) in particular showed the greatest efficacy against C. musae.An aqueous extract of red propolis from Dalbergia ecastophyllum demonstrated the greatest efficiency in vitro. This extract, which was then tested in vivo on three banana conservation diseases, proved its antifungal potential as an alternative treatment and its effectiveness in increasing the shelf life of bananas for export.

O mamão (Carica papaya L.) é um fruto nativo de clima tropical e comercializado em todo o mundo. O Brasil é um dos grandes produtores e consumidores destes frutos, porém, anualmente, são perdidas aproximadamente 10 toneladas dos frutos devido ao escasso controle de qualidade e, principalmente, às doenças pós-colheita, como a antracnose, ocasionada pelo fungo Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a associação de óleo essencial e película de carboximetilcelulose a fim de controlar a antracnose em mamão e monitorar os efeitos deste tratamento nas características físico-químicas e de aparência dos frutos. A pesquisa foi realizada em duas etapas: a primeira com caráter fitopatológico, e a segunda, quanto à qualidade físico-química e de aparência dos frutos tratados. Na primeira etapa foram realizados os seguintes testes: eficiência in vitro da Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) dos óleos de Eucaliptus staigeriana, Lippia sidoides e Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus e suas misturas sobre o fungo C. gloeosporioides pelos métodos de diluição em ágar e modelo matemático de Gompertz; avaliação do óleo selecionado (o que apresentou a menor CIM), em relação à composição química; Concentração Mínima Fungicida (CMF) e eficiência in vivo (determinação da incidência e severidade). Na segunda etapa, foram avaliadas as qualidades físico-químicas (cor, perda de massa, firmeza, taxa respiratória, acidez titulável, teor de sólidos solúveis e ratio) e de aparência (presença de murchamento e podridão) nos frutos após a aplicação do óleo essencial associado à película. Na primeira etapa, os óleos essenciais de L. sidoides, E. staigeriana, P. pseudocaryophyllus e suas misturas apresentaram ação inibitória nos experimentos in vitro contra C. gloeosporioides. O melhor desempenho foi do óleo de L. sidoides, que apresentou concentração inibitória mínima de 125 ppm no método de diluição em ágar, e 75,3 ppm pelo modelo matemático de Gompertz. A concentração fungicida mínima encontrada foi 62 ppm pelo método de caldo. Quanto à composição de L. sidoides, o timol, que possui ação antifúngica reconhecida, foi encontrado como composto majoritário. Os resultados da avaliação in vivo mostraram que os menores valores de severidade ocasionada por C. gloesporiodes foram observadas no tratamento envolvendo a associação da película de carboximetilcelulose com o óleo essencial de L. sidoides, quando aplicados preventivamente, porém não inibiu a incidência da doença. Na segunda etapa do estudo, os resultados demonstraram que a utilização da película de carboximetilcelulose em associação com o óleo essencial de L. sidoides (375 ppm) conservou por 9 dias as características físico-químicas e de aparência dos mamões, enquanto que no controle e no tratamento somente com a película, 5 e 7 dias, respectivamente. Com base nos dados obtidos, concluiu-se que os óleos essenciais de Lippia sidoides, Eucaliptus staigeriana e Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus e suas misturas binárias 1:1 possuíram ação antifúngica contra C. gloeosporioides. Lippia sidoides demonstrou ser altamente eficaz em menor dose, e que a associação deste óleo (375 ppm) com a película de carboximetilcelulose (0,25%) contribuiu efetivamente para o aumento da vida útil dos mamões armazenados a 22°C, conservando suas características físico-químicas e de aparência por 9 dias. / The papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a tropical fruit and it is commercialized around the world. Brazil is one of the major producers and consumers of these fruits, but approximately 10 tons of fruits are lost annually due to poor quality control and especially postharvest diseases such as anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides fungus. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association of essential oil and carboxymethylcellulose film in order to control the anthracnose in papaya and to monitor the effects of this treatment on its physicochemical and appearance characteristics. The research had two stages: the first one had phytopathological character and the second one regarding the physicochemical quality and appearance of treated fruits. In the first stage, the following tests were carried out: Determination in vitro of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for the Eucalyptus staigeriana, Lippia sidoides and Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus oils and their mixtures on C. gloeosporioides fungus by agar dilution and Gompertz mathematical model; Evaluation for the selected oil (the oil presenting the lowest MIC), of its chemical composition; Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) and in vivo efficiency (by incidence and severity determination). In the second stage it was evaluate the physicochemical qualities (color, weight loss, firmness, respiratory rate, titratable acidity, soluble solids content and ratio) and appearance (presence of shriveling and rot) of fruits after oil application associated with film. In the first stage, the essential oils of L. sidoides, E. staigeriana, P. pseudocaryophyllus and their mixtures showed inhibitory action in the in vitro experiments on C. gloeosporioides. The best oil was L. sidoides, it had a minimum inhibitory concentration of 125 ppm by agar dilution method and of 75.3 ppm by Gompertz mathematical model. The minimum fungicide concentration found was 62 ppm by the both method. About the composition of the L. sidoides oil, thymol, which has been reported as presenting antifungal activity, was found as its major compound. The results of in vivo evaluation showed that the lowest values of disease severity caused by C. gloesporiodes were present in the treatment involving the association of carboxymethylcellulose film with L. sidoides, when it was applied preventively, but it did not inhibit disease incidence. In the second stage of the study the results showed that the use of carboxymethylcellulose film in association with L. sidoides (375 ppm) preserved the physicochemical and appearance characteristics of papaya fruits for 9 days, whereas in the control and treatment with the film sole, it preserved for 5 and 7 days, respectively. Based on the obtained data, it was concluded that the essential oils of Lippia sidoides, Eucalyptus staigeriana and Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus and their 1:1 binary mixtures had antifungal action on C. gloeosporioides. Lippia sidoides, which proved to be highly effective, was more prominent, and the association of this oil (375 ppm) with the carboxymethylcellulose film (0,25%) effectively contributed to increased lifespan of stored papayas at 22°C, preserving its physicochemical and appearance characteristics for 9 days.

O tratamento fotodinâmico antifúngico (APDT) é um método promissor que combina um fotossensibilizador não tóxico (FS), oxigênio e luz visível para provocar a morte seletiva das células microbianas. O desenvolvimento do APDT depende da identificação de FS que sejam eficazes para as diferentes espécies de patógenos. No presente estudo, as suscetibilidades, in vitro, de conídios de Colletotrichum acutatum, C. gloeosporioides (ambas são espécies fitopatogênicas) e Aspergillus nidulans ao APDT com quatro FS fenotiazínicos [azul de metileno (MB), novo azul de metileno N (NMBN), azul de toluidina O (TBO) e o novo fenotiazínico pentacíclico S137 (S137)] em combinação com a luz vermelha, foram investigadas. Nós também avaliamos a suscetibilidade dos conídios de C. acutatum e A. nidulans ao APDT com o psoraleno 8-metóxipsoraleno (8-MOP), com duas cumarinas (7- metoxicumarina e 5,7-dimetóxicumarina) e com uma furanocumarina (isopimpinelina) em combinação com a radiação solar. Ambas as cumarinas e a furanocumarinas foram extraídas, no presente trabalho, do limão Tahiti (Citrus latifolia). Os efeitos dos tratamentos com os diferentes FS nas folhas de laranja-pera (Citrus sinensis) também foram avaliados. O NMBN e o S137 foram os fenotiazínicos mais eficazes. Os APDT com o NMBN (50 ?M) e S137 (10 ?M) e dose de luz de 25 J cm-2 resultaram na redução de aproximadamente 5 logs na sobrevivência dos conídios das três espécies. O APDT com o 8-MOP e com as cumarinas resultaram em uma redução de aproximadamente 4 logs na sobrevivência dos conídios de C. acutatum e A. nidulans. O APDT com a furanocumarina foi menos efetivo e resultou em uma redução na sobrevivência dos conídios de aproximadamente dois logs para C. acutatum e de três logs para A. nidulans. Nenhum dano nas folhas foi observado quando os FS foram colocados na superfície adaxial das folhas. Os estudos histológicos mostraram que nenhum dos FS fenotiazínicos atravessou a cutícula das folhas. / Antifungal photodynamic treatment (APDT) is a promising method that combines a nontoxic photosensitizer (PS), oxygen and visible light to cause selective killing of microbial cells. The development of APDT depends on identifying effective PS for the different pathogenic species. In the present study, the in vitro susceptibilities of Colletotrichum acutatum, C. gloeosporioides (both are phytophatogenic species) and Aspergillus nidulans conidia to APDT with four phenothiazinium PS [methylene blue (MB), new methylene blue N (NMBN), toluidine blue O (TBO) and the novel pentacicyclic phenothiazinium S137 (S137)] in combination with red light were investigated. We also evaluated the susceptibilities of C. acutatum and A. nidulans conidia to APDT with the psoralen 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), with two coumarins (7-methoxicoumarin and 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin) and one furanocoumarin (isopimpinelin) in combination with solar radiation. Both the coumarins and the furanocoumarin were extracted, in the present work, from Tahiti lemon (Citrus latifolia). The effects of the treatments with all the PS on Citrus sinensis leaves were also evaluated. NMBN and S137 were the more effective phenothiazinium PS. APDT with NMBN (50 ?M) and S137 (10 ?M) and light dose of 25 J cm-2 resulted in a reduction of approximately 5 logs in the survival of the conidia of the three species. APDT with 8-MOP and with the coumarins resulted in a reduction of approximately 4 logs in the survival of C. acutatum and A. nidulans conidia. APDT with the furanocumarin was less effective and resulted in the reduction of approximately 2 logs for C. acutatum and 3 logs for A. nidulans. No damages to the leaves were observed when the PS were spotted on the adaxial surface of the leaves and the plants were exposed to solar radiation. Histological studies showed that the phenothiazinium PS did not cross the leave cuticle.

O tratamento fotodinâmico antifúngico (APDT) é um método promissor que combina um fotossensibilizador não tóxico (FS), oxigênio e luz visível para provocar a morte seletiva das células microbianas. O desenvolvimento do APDT depende da identificação de FS que sejam eficazes para as diferentes espécies de patógenos. No presente estudo, as suscetibilidades, in vitro, de conídios de Colletotrichum acutatum, C. gloeosporioides (ambas são espécies fitopatogênicas) e Aspergillus nidulans ao APDT com quatro FS fenotiazínicos [azul de metileno (MB), novo azul de metileno N (NMBN), azul de toluidina O (TBO) e o novo fenotiazínico pentacíclico S137 (S137)] em combinação com a luz vermelha, foram investigadas. Nós também avaliamos a suscetibilidade dos conídios de C. acutatum e A. nidulans ao APDT com o psoraleno 8-metóxipsoraleno (8-MOP), com duas cumarinas (7- metoxicumarina e 5,7-dimetóxicumarina) e com uma furanocumarina (isopimpinelina) em combinação com a radiação solar. Ambas as cumarinas e a furanocumarinas foram extraídas, no presente trabalho, do limão Tahiti (Citrus latifolia). Os efeitos dos tratamentos com os diferentes FS nas folhas de laranja-pera (Citrus sinensis) também foram avaliados. O NMBN e o S137 foram os fenotiazínicos mais eficazes. Os APDT com o NMBN (50 ?M) e S137 (10 ?M) e dose de luz de 25 J cm-2 resultaram na redução de aproximadamente 5 logs na sobrevivência dos conídios das três espécies. O APDT com o 8-MOP e com as cumarinas resultaram em uma redução de aproximadamente 4 logs na sobrevivência dos conídios de C. acutatum e A. nidulans. O APDT com a furanocumarina foi menos efetivo e resultou em uma redução na sobrevivência dos conídios de aproximadamente dois logs para C. acutatum e de três logs para A. nidulans. Nenhum dano nas folhas foi observado quando os FS foram colocados na superfície adaxial das folhas. Os estudos histológicos mostraram que nenhum dos FS fenotiazínicos atravessou a cutícula das folhas. / Antifungal photodynamic treatment (APDT) is a promising method that combines a nontoxic photosensitizer (PS), oxygen and visible light to cause selective killing of microbial cells. The development of APDT depends on identifying effective PS for the different pathogenic species. In the present study, the in vitro susceptibilities of Colletotrichum acutatum, C. gloeosporioides (both are phytophatogenic species) and Aspergillus nidulans conidia to APDT with four phenothiazinium PS [methylene blue (MB), new methylene blue N (NMBN), toluidine blue O (TBO) and the novel pentacicyclic phenothiazinium S137 (S137)] in combination with red light were investigated. We also evaluated the susceptibilities of C. acutatum and A. nidulans conidia to APDT with the psoralen 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), with two coumarins (7-methoxicoumarin and 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin) and one furanocoumarin (isopimpinelin) in combination with solar radiation. Both the coumarins and the furanocoumarin were extracted, in the present work, from Tahiti lemon (Citrus latifolia). The effects of the treatments with all the PS on Citrus sinensis leaves were also evaluated. NMBN and S137 were the more effective phenothiazinium PS. APDT with NMBN (50 ?M) and S137 (10 ?M) and light dose of 25 J cm-2 resulted in a reduction of approximately 5 logs in the survival of the conidia of the three species. APDT with 8-MOP and with the coumarins resulted in a reduction of approximately 4 logs in the survival of C. acutatum and A. nidulans conidia. APDT with the furanocumarin was less effective and resulted in the reduction of approximately 2 logs for C. acutatum and 3 logs for A. nidulans. No damages to the leaves were observed when the PS were spotted on the adaxial surface of the leaves and the plants were exposed to solar radiation. Histological studies showed that the phenothiazinium PS did not cross the leave cuticle.

published_or_final_version / Botany / Master / Master of Philosophy

The fungus <i>Colletotrichum truncatum</i> (Schw.) Andrus and Moore causes lentil anthracnose, which is a major challenge to lentil production in Western Canada. The pathogen infects leaves and stems, resulting in defoliation, stem girdling, plant wilting, and possibly plant death. Two races, Ct0 and Ct1, have been identified in the pathogen population in Canada. However, the differences in the infection process between the two races have not been described in detail. Currently, several lentil cultivars, such as CDC Redberry, CDC Robin, CDC Rosetown, CDC Rouleau, and CDC Viceroy, have resistance against race Ct1, whereas there are no cultivars showing resistance to race Ct0. The objective of this study was to investigate differences in the infection process between race Ct0 and race Ct1 using the fully susceptible cultivar Eston and the race Ct1-resistant cultivar CDC Robin. Experiments on glass well slides showed that race Ct0 had no inherently different conidium germination rate compared to race Ct1, and that differences in conidium germination between the two races on lentil plants were the result of specific interactions between the two races and lentil resistance. Investigations of the infection process of the two races on detached and attached leaves of both lentil cultivars were conducted starting 12 h postinoculation (hpi) until 72 hpi, including conidium germination, appressorium formation, and leaf penetration. Results indicated that differences in virulence of the two races may be related to the ability of conidia to germinate and form appressoria, as well as the ability of primary infection hyphae to grow in response to cues from the lentil cultivars. Furthermore, resistance of lentil to isolates of race Ct1 appeared to involve an inhibition in and/or delay of the spread of primary infection hyphae inside the plant tissue. Results of infection studies of one isolate from each race on attached leaves did not completely agree with results of the same isolates on detached leaves. Based on this study, race Ct0 and race Ct1 do not appear to be classical physiological races, but may represent aggressive races or some intermediate forms.

The fungus <i>Colletotrichum truncatum</i> (Schw.) Andrus and Moore causes lentil anthracnose, which is a major challenge to lentil production in Western Canada. The pathogen infects leaves and stems, resulting in defoliation, stem girdling, plant wilting, and possibly plant death. Two races, Ct0 and Ct1, have been identified in the pathogen population in Canada. However, the differences in the infection process between the two races have not been described in detail. Currently, several lentil cultivars, such as CDC Redberry, CDC Robin, CDC Rosetown, CDC Rouleau, and CDC Viceroy, have resistance against race Ct1, whereas there are no cultivars showing resistance to race Ct0. The objective of this study was to investigate differences in the infection process between race Ct0 and race Ct1 using the fully susceptible cultivar Eston and the race Ct1-resistant cultivar CDC Robin. Experiments on glass well slides showed that race Ct0 had no inherently different conidium germination rate compared to race Ct1, and that differences in conidium germination between the two races on lentil plants were the result of specific interactions between the two races and lentil resistance. Investigations of the infection process of the two races on detached and attached leaves of both lentil cultivars were conducted starting 12 h postinoculation (hpi) until 72 hpi, including conidium germination, appressorium formation, and leaf penetration. Results indicated that differences in virulence of the two races may be related to the ability of conidia to germinate and form appressoria, as well as the ability of primary infection hyphae to grow in response to cues from the lentil cultivars. Furthermore, resistance of lentil to isolates of race Ct1 appeared to involve an inhibition in and/or delay of the spread of primary infection hyphae inside the plant tissue. Results of infection studies of one isolate from each race on attached leaves did not completely agree with results of the same isolates on detached leaves. Based on this study, race Ct0 and race Ct1 do not appear to be classical physiological races, but may represent aggressive races or some intermediate forms.

The objectives of studies undertaken here were to identify the species of Colletotrichum associated with coffee berry anthracnose in PNG, gain an understanding of the infection process and factors affecting it, assess the impact, if any, of anthracnose on coffee quality and identify suitable chemicals for anthracnose control. A total of 40 isolates were collected from PNG and their cultural and morphological characteristics on PDA were studied and used to identify the species. Species identification was further confirmed by molecular characterisation using RFLP and DNA sequencing of the ITS region of the rDNA. After species identification only two isolates were selected to represent C. gloeosporioides and C. acutatum for further studies. Studies on conidia germination and the effects of conidia concentration, temperature, relative humidity and pH affecting germination were done on TWA, followed by studies on the infection process on coffee berries and the influence of temperature on germination and appressoria formation in vivo. For assessment of effect of anthracnose on coffee quality, 100 samples of ripe berries were assessed for disease incidence, followed by processing of the berries to green bean and data on bean defects (black bean) together with anthracnose incidence subjected to appropriate statistical analysis. A similar procedure was followed using disease severity but the samples were from one farm only. The closing work on chemical control was done by screening 16 different fungicides for the control of C. gloeosporioides and C. acutatum. With the 40 isolates, 29 were identified as C. gloeosporioides and 11 as C. acutatum. This is the first report of C. acutatum on coffee in PNG. Identification of the species was further confirmed by RFLP groupings where C. gloeosporioides and C. acutatum were separated at 574bp and 584bp respectively and DNA sequence homology identified the PNG isolates with C. gloeosporioides and C. acutatum accessions. Optimum conditions for conidia germination in relation to spore concentration, temperature, and pH are 1 x 106 spores/ml, 21 - 29°C and pH 5 - 7 respectively for C. acutatum and for C. gloeosporioides 1 x 106 spores/ml, 25 - 31°C and pH 5 - 7 respectively. Humidity is not a limiting factor for activity of both species. Infection process for both species is similar where conidia germinate to produce the germ tube which swells at the tip to form the appressoria. The appressoria produce an infection peg which is responsible for berry cuticle penetration and cell colonisation (resulting in typical anthracnose symptom expression) and eventual sporulation. C. acutatum has not been reported elsewhere as a pathogen of coffee and this is the first report of C. acutatum causing infections on both ripe and mature green berries. Anthracnose incidence did not correlate well with coffee bean defects, but anthracnose severity v suggested that coffee quality could be affected by anthracnose. The most effective fungicide for anthracnose control is thiram alone or thiram alternating with propiconazole.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xiii, 118 p.; also includes graphics Includes bibliographical references (p. 114-118). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

Orientador: Norberto da Silva / Resumo: Espécies de Stylosanthes estão amplamente distribuídas em regiões tropicais e subtropicais das Américas, África e sudeste da Ásia, sendo o Brasil o principal centro de origem e diversidade do gênero, com 25 das 45 espécies descritas ocorrendo naturalmente em várias regiões do País. O gênero adapta-se a diferentes condições edafoclimáticas, apresentando melhor potencial de uso no Brasil. A antracnose, causada por Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & Sacc., forma anamórfica de Glomerella cingulata (Stonem.) Spauld. & Scherenk tem sido o principal entrave à ampla utilização de Stylosanthes. Em 2000, o Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Gado de Corte (Embrapa Gado de Corte), da Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa), lançou a cultivar Estilosantes Campo Grande, constituída por uma mistura física de populações derivadas de 11 introduções de S. capitata e seis de S. macrocephala. Tais populações foram selecionadas durante seis gerações pelo método de "bulk". Ainda, para a composição da cultivar, misturou-se as sementes das populações selecionadas nas proporções de 80% e 20%, respectivamente. Conforme foi desenvolvida, pressupõe-se que a cultivar seja composta de indivíduos geneticamente diferentes, porém não se sabe ao certo a proporção dos mesmos, fato que dificulta saber ao longo do tempo se a composição da cultivar mantém-se ou não a mesma. Assim, realizou-se este trabalho com os objetivos de identificar a existência de variabilidade de progênies originárias da referida cultivar e selecionar germoplasma com alto grau de resistência à antracnose e performance agronômica. Este projeto foi... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo). / Abstract: Species of the genus Stylosanthes are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The main center of origin and diversity is Brazil, the native habitat of 25 of the 45 described species. The genus is adapted to a variety of edaphic and climatic conditions and showed good potential as a cultivated forage in Brazil. Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & Sacc., the anamorphic form of Glomerella cingulata (Stonem.) Spauld & Scherenk, has been the main limitation to the commercial utilization of Stylosanthes. In 2000, the National Beef Cattle Research Center (Embrapa Beef Cattle), from Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) released Stylosanthes cv. Campo Grande, it is a physical mixture of hybrid-derived progenies of 11 accessions of S. capitata and six lines of S. macrocephala. The resulting populations were advanced through six generations of bulk seed production. Seeds of the two species were mixed in the proportion of 80% and 20%, respectively, to form the new cultivar. Due to its origin, the cultivar was considered as composite of genetically diverse individuals. However, the actual composition and its long-term maintenance remained unknown factors. Consequently, this project was initiated with the objective to identify the degree of variability among component progenies in the cultivar and select germplasm with a high degree of anthracnose resistance and agronomic performance. The project was carried out at Embrapa Beef Cattle, Campo Grande-MS, from 2000 to 2002. In the first instance, individual plants were raised in the green house from single seed obtained from commercial samples of the cultivar. Some 294 S. capitata plants and 124 of S. macrocephala have been established... (Complete abstract, click electronic address below). / Doutor