FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / A qualidade do pescado à um tÃpico de grande interesse dos produtores do setor pesqueiro, tendo em vista o aumento nos mercados internacionais para produtos frescos de pescado. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo comparar a eficiÃncia do Ãcido ascÃrbico e do metabissulfito de sÃdio sobre o tempo de conservaÃÃo e inibiÃÃo de melanose de camarÃes acondicionados em gelo. Foram adquiridos camarÃes vivos da espÃcie Litopenaeus vannamei cultivados em fazendas do Estado do CearÃ. Imediatamente apÃs a despesca, os camarÃes foram imersos em soluÃÃes de quatro diferentes concentraÃÃes de Ãcido ascÃrbico a 200, 300, 400 e 500 ppm e de metabissulfito de sÃdio a 6%. Posteriormente, os crustÃceos submetidos aos diferentes tratamentos foram estocados em gelo por vinte dias. A cada 48 horas foram retiradas amostras para avaliaÃÃo do grau de melanose, dos caracteres sensoriais, anÃlises microbiolÃgicas, determinaÃÃo da trimetilamina (TMA), das bases volÃteis totais (BVT), do valor de K e o acompanhamento do pH. Os tratamentos com Ãcido ascÃrbico mostraram serem Ãteis no controle da melanose. No entanto, o tratamento com metabissulfito de sÃdio foi mais eficiente na prevenÃÃo da melanose. Quanto à avaliaÃÃo do quesito controle de qualidade do camarÃo armazenado em gelo, nÃo houve diferenÃa entre os tratamentos. Foi verificado que a partir do 14 dia os camarÃes estocados em gelo mostraram sinais de putrefaÃÃo. Conclui-se que nÃo à viÃvel economicamente a utilizaÃÃo do Ãcido ascÃrbico no controle da melanose em camarÃes, visto que poderia haver necessidade de concentraÃÃes mais elevadas do produto nos tratamentos de imersÃo para evitar o surgimento de manchas pretas. / Quality of fisheries products is a subject of great interest among producers since the international market for fresh products is expanding. The objective of the present study was to compare the efficiency of ascorbic acid and sodium metabisulfite in conserving product quality for long periods and inhibiting black spot occurrence in shrimp kept in ice. Live shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, grown in a shrimp farm at Ceara State, Brazil, were used in the experiment. Immediately after capture, the shrimp were immersed in four different concentrations of ascorbic acid (200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm) and also in 6% sodium metabisulfite. After that, all the shrimp from the five treatments were transferred to ice and kept for 20 days. Every 48 hours samples from the five treatments were taken in order to analyze the level of black spot occurrence, sensorial characteristics, trimethylamine, total volatile basic, K value and pH value. The ascorbic acid showed good results in preventing black spot, although sodium metabissulfite was more efficient in preventing it. When quality control was evaluated from shrimp kept in ice, no significant different was observed among the treatments. After 16 days kept in ice, all shrimp showed some level of decay. Although the ascorbic acid showed good results in preventing black spot occurrence, it is not economically viable to use it for shrimp, since the product is costly and requires high concentration to prevent black spot.

O Brasil é o maior produtor e exportador de suco de laranja, sendo esta uma das mais importantes atividades econômicas para o país. Os frutos são afetados pela mancha preta dos citros, causada por Guignardia citricarpa, que deprecia comercialmente os frutos, provoca queda prematura e eleva o custo de produção. Medidas alternativas ao controle químico clássico vêm sendo estudadas e, neste contexto, insere-se a indução de resistência. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos in vitro da quitosana e radiação UV-C sobre o crescimento micelial, germinação e formação de apressórios por G. citricarpa e a ação destes agentes abióticos no controle da doença em laranjas pós-colheita, sob armazenamento ambiente e refrigerado, estudando-se também mecanismos de resistência ativados no tecido vegetal em resposta ao tratamento de melhor eficiência. Para tanto, foram utilizadas as concentrações de 0; 0,5; 1,0; 1,5; 2,0 e 3,0% de quitosana e as doses de 0,52; 1,04; 3,13; 10,44 e 15,66 kJ.m-2 da radiação UV-C. A quitosana inibiu o crescimento micelial do fungo e estimulou a germinação e formação de apressórios, os quais se mostraram morfologicamente alterados. A UV-C não inibiu o crescimento micelial, porém a maior dose ocasionou o menor crescimento. Para os experimentos in vivo, laranjas foram coletadas, lavadas, sanitizadas com hipoclorito e posteriormente tratadas. As concentrações de 0,5, 1,0 e 2,0% de quitosana e a dose de 7 kJ m-2 da UV-C apresentaram melhor resultado em laranjas ?Valência? na redução dos sintomas. Análise da cor da casca dos frutos irradiados revelou que houve leve escurecimento. Os fungicidas tiabendazol e imazalil não controlaram a doença em laranjas ?Pêra Rio?, porém, obteve-se menos lesões nos frutos tratados com os fungicidas em combinação com quitosana, tanto em temperatura ambiente quanto em refrigeração. Análises da cor da casca indicaram amarelecimento e não houve alterações significativas nos teores de sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável, pH, vitamina C e ratio. Nos ensaios com quitosana, tiabendazol e UV-C, a quitosana apresentou melhor controle da doença, aplicada isoladamente ou em conjunto com o fungicida e UV-C, em temperatura ambiente ou refrigeração. A quitosana e a proteína harpina apresentaram controle semelhante e, em comparação com o ácido cítrico, a quitosana ocasionou melhor controle em laranjas ?Valência?. Para análises bioquímicas, amostras de flavedo foram homogeneizadas em de tampão acetato, com posterior centrifugação, coletando-se o sobrenadante. Para as reações enzimáticas, foram utilizados os reagentes CM-chitin-RBV, CMCurdlan- RBB, guaiacol, catecol e L-fenilalanina para quitinase, glucanase, peroxidase, polifenoloxidase e fenilalanina amônia-liase, respectivamente. Para a determinação de fenóis, amostras do flavedo foram homogeneizadas em metanol acidificado e a dosagem feita com o reagente Folin-Ciocalteau. A quitosana induziu o aumento da atividade das enzimas nas primeiras 24 h após o tratamento, sendo neste tempo detectada a maior atividade. Não houve atividade de fenilalanina amônia-liase, bem como acúmulo de fenóis. Finalmente, fica evidenciado que quitosana e a UV-C apresentaram efeito in vitro sobre G. citricarpa, porém somente a quitosana exibiu potencial no controle da mancha preta em laranja pós colheita. / Brazil is the biggest producer and exporter of orange juice, and this is one of the most important economical activities for the country. The fruits can be affected by the citrus black spot, disease caused by the fungus Guignardia citricarpa, which depreciates then commercially, causes premature fall and increases the production cost. Alternative measures to the chemical control are being studied and, in this context, resistance induction can be considered. The present work had as objective evaluate the in vitro effects of chitosan and UV-C radiation on mycelial growth, germination and apressorium formation by G. citricarpa and the action of the abiotic agents on controlling the disease on postharvest oranges, under room temperature and refrigeration storage, also studying the mechanisms of resistance in the plant tissue in response to the better treatment. The chitosan concentrations were 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5; 2.0 and 3.0% and the UVC doses were 0.52, 1.04, 3.13, 10.44 and 15.66 kJ.m-2. Chitosan inhibited mycelial growth and stimulated the germination and the apressorium formation that were morphologically abnormal. UV-C did not inhibited mycelial growth, but reduced it at the highest dose used. For the in vivo experiments, oranges were collected, sanitized with hypochlorite and treated. Chitosan concentrations of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% and the UV-C dose of 7 kJ m-2 exhibited better results in ?Valência ? oranges. Analyses of peel color of irradiated fruits revealed a light browning. The fungicides thiabendazole and imazalil did not control the disease in ?Pêra Rio ? oranges, but fewer lesions appeared on fruits treated with the fungicides in association with chitosan, under room temperature and refrigeration. Color analysis of peel indicated yellowing and no significant differences among soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH vitamin C and ratio. In the chitosan, thiabendazole and UV-C assays, there was a better control of lesion appearing by treatment with chitosan, applied alone or in association with fungicide and UV-C, at room temperature or refrigeration. Chitosan and the harpin protein were similar on the controlling of the disease and, in comparison to the citric acid, chitosan presented better control on ?Valência? oranges. For biochemical analysis, flavedo samples were homogenized in acetate buffer, centrifuged, and the supernatant collected. The reagents used were CM-chitin-RBV, CM-Curdlan-RBB, guaiacol, cathecol and L-phenylalanine for chitinase, glucanase, peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, respectively. For phenol determination, flavedo was homogenized in acidified methanol and the evaluation was made with Folin-Ciocalteau. Chitosan increased enzyme activities in the first 24 h after treatment, with the highest activity in that time. Activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase was not detected, well as absent of phenolic compounds accumulation. Chitosan and UV-C exhibited in vitro effect on G. citricarpa, however, only chitosan showed potential on the control of black spot in postharvest oranges.

Foram conduzidos quatro experimentos com a cultivar 'Carioca' do feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris), objetivando a possibilidade de implementação de um sistema de manejo integrado da ferrugem e mancha angular do feijoeiro após a intervenção com os fungicidas oxycarboxin (Hokko Plantvax 750 - 700 gramas/ha) e trifenil hidróxido de estanho (Mertin â - 660 ml/ha), respectivamente, aplicados em diferentes épocas. Foi realizada a quantificação de danos nesses patossistemas, verificando por meio de regressões lineares e não lineares as possíveis relações existentes entre as variáveis integrais AUDPC (área sob a curva de progresso de doença)¸ HAD (duração da área foliar sadia) e HAA (absorção da área foliar sadia) e suas correspondentes HLAI (índice de área foliar sadio) e HRI (absorção da área foliar por unidade de tempo) com a produção (gramas/planta). Os melhores resultados foram obtidos com as variáveis HAD e HAA, com coeficientes de determinação (R 2 ) variáveis entre 0,19 e 0,56 para HAD e 0,23 e 0,49 para HAA. Quando as variáveis HLAI e HRI foram relacionadas com a produção, os coeficientes de determinação variaram entre 0,24 e 0,57 para HLAI e 0,28 e 0,56 para HRI. A partir das avaliações semanais de HLAI e HRI foram realizadas regressões lineares entre estas variáveis e a produção (gramas/planta). Os coeficientes angulares foram relacionados com os estádios de desenvolvimento observando-se a estabilização das curvas entre os estádios R5-R8 para o patossistema ferrugem - feijão e entre os estádios V4-R8 para o patossistema mancha angular - feijão para HLAI e HRI. Nesses experimentos foram também realizadas avaliações do Índice de Área Foliar (LAI) utilizando-se medições diretas (avaliações manuais) e indiretas com ceptômetro. As medições obtidas com o este equipamento apresentaram sensibilidade suficiente para captar as variações no índice de área foliar sadio e portanto podem ser usadas em sistemas de manejo integrado da ferrugem e da mancha angular do feijoeiro. / Four trials were carried out on dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), variety 'Carioca' with goal to verify the possibility of implementation of an integrated management system for rust and angular spot after the application with of oxycarboxin (Hokko Plantvax 750 - 700 g/ha) and trifenil stannic hydroxide (Mertin â - 660 ml/ha) fungicides, applied in different timings. The damage quantification in these pathosystems were done analyzing the possible existing relation among the integral variables AUPDC (Area Under Disease Progress Curve), HAD (Healthy Area Duration) and HAA (Healthy Area Absorption) and its correspondents HLAI (Healthy Leaf Area Index) and HRI (Healthy Radiation Intercept) with yield (grams/plant) through linear and non linear regression. The best results were obtained using the variables HAD and HAA with the determination coefficients (R 2 ) from 0.19 to 0.56 for HAD and 0.23 to 0.49 for HAA. When HLAI and HRI were related with yield, the determination coefficient ranged from 0.24 and 0.57 for HLAI and 0.28 to 0.56 for HRI. From weekly assessments of HLAI and HRI, linear regression analysis were done between those variables and yield (grams/plant). The angular coefficient were related with the different crop stages and the stability of curves was observed between R5-R8 stages for rust - dry bean pathosystem and between V4-V8 stages for angular spot – dry bean pathosystem when HLAI and HRI were analyzed. In these experiments, Leaf Area Indice (LAI) was also assessed with direct (manual) and indirect measures with a ceptometer. The measures obtained using this set provided necessary sensibility to catch HLAI variation and, therefore, may be used in an integrated management system of rust and angular spot in dry beans.

La modélisation de la dynamique épidémiologique des ascomycètes parasites des arbres fruitiers présente deux aspects très importants : l’évaluation de la quantité d'inoculum et de son évolution, et l’identification des évènements climatiques donnant lieu à une contamination. Le travail présenté aborde ces deux aspects au travers de deux exemples : la tavelure du pommier, et la maladie de l’œil de paon de l’olivier, parasites majeurs pour les filières concernées.L’acquisition des connaissances sur la biologie des deux maladies a été abordée uniquement sur la base de données acquises sur le terrain, ce qui est original car généralement les modèles ont été réalisés sur la base de connaissances établies en conditions contrôlées.Dans le cas de Venturia inaequalis, agent de la tavelure du pommier, la vitesse de développement journalier de l’inoculum a été établie par optimisation numérique, sur la base d’observations réalisées en Provence. Un modèle de dynamique de projection des ascospores incluant la suspension de l’évolution de l’inoculum primaire lors des périodes sèches a été réalisé puis validé sur un jeu de données indépendantes. La transposabilité du modèle a été ensuite étudiée pour une autre région (Aquitaine). Dans le cas de Fusicladium oleagineum, agent de la maladie de l’oeil de paon, les conditions de contamination ont été établies en fonction de la température et de l’hygrométrie, d’une part par la réalisation d’un abaque sur la base de points sélectionnés par dires d’expert, et d’autre part de façon automatique à l’aide d’un système par apprentissage (réseau de neurones). Un modèle, liant la température moyenne après la contamination à l’apparition des symptômes a été ensuite réalisé. / Apple scab, caused by Venturia inaequalis, and peacoq leaf spot, cause by Fusicladiumoleagineum, are key diseases respectively for apple and olive growers. These disease usuallyrequire a large number of treatments. Adequate protection need a good evaluation ofquantitative disponibility of inoculum, and estimation of infection conditions.In this thesis, these two problems were studied using only field data. This is an originalaprroach to obtain knowledge about biology of fungi : most previous works were realised byregression of laboratory data obtained under controled conditions.In the case of Venturia inaequalis, primary inoculum consists of pseudothecia present in leaflitter. Treatments agains ascospore release period is the cornerstone of the strategy againstapple scab. However, the existing forecasting models are not reliable, and are all based ondegree-day time scale, proposed in 1982.Here, using a corpus of data acquired between 1996 and 2013, including observations ofascospore release and weather data, we assessed the daily rate of development of primaryinoculum by fitting generic new time scale functions. Further improvements were then studiedto take into account elements reported in litterature about the incidence of rain or wetness.Different methods were tested and adapted for the parameterisation of models by numericaloptimisation. Some forcasting models were proposed and adapted to the area where the studywas conducted, with parameters including rain and temperature. The validity was tested, andfurther developements of the forecasting tool was then proposed.In the case of Fusicladium oleagineum, a field-operational model predicting disease outbreakswas established as a function of temperature and relative humidity. First with the help ofpoints selected by experts, Secondly automaticaly using a neural network. A model defininglatent period as a function of average temperature after contamination was then realised.

The objective of this thesis was to investigate the possibility ofusing association rule algorithms to automatically generaterules for the output of a Parameter Tuning framework. Therules would be the basis for a recommendation to the user regardingwhich parameter space to reduce during experimentation.The parameter tuning output was generated by means ofan open source project (INPUT) example program. InPUT is atool used to describe computer experiment configurations in aframework independent input/output format. InPUT has adaptersfor the evolutionary algorithm framework Watchmakerand the tuning framework SPOT. The output was imported in Rand preprocessed to a format suitable for association rule algorithms.Experiments were conducted on data for which theparameter spaces were discretized in 2, 5, 10 steps. The minimumsupport threshold was set to 1% and 3% to investigatethe amount of rules over time. The Apriori and Eclat algorithmsproduced exactly the same amount of rules, and the top 5rules with regards to support were basically the same for bothalgorithms. It was not possible at the time to automatically distinguishinguseful rules. In combination with the many manualdecisions during the process of converting the tuning output toassociation rules, the conclusion was reached to not recommendassociation rules for enhancing the Parameter Tuningprocess.

Previous studies on spillover effects in future markets have so far confined themselves to static analyses. In this study, we use a newly introduced spillover index to examine dynamic spillovers between spot and futures market volatility, volume of futures trading and open interest in the UK and the US. Based on a dataset over the period February 25, 2008 to March 14, 2013, that encompasses both the global financial crisis and the Eurozone debt crisis, we find that spot and futures volatilities in the UK (US) are net receivers (net transmitters) of shocks to volume of futures trading and open interest. The analysis also sheds light on the dynamic interdependence of spot and futures market volatilities between the US and the UK. Specifically, the spot and futures volatility spillovers between the UK and US markets are of bidirectional nature, however, they are affected by major economic events such as the global financial and Eurozone debt crisis. Several robustness checks endorse our main findings. Overall, these results have important implications for various market participants and financial sector regulators.

Abstract The information age is characterized by ever-growing amounts of data surrounding us. By reproducing this data into usable knowledge we can start moving toward the knowledge age. Data mining is the science of transforming measurable information into usable knowledge. During the data mining process, the measurements pass through a chain of sophisticated transformations in order to acquire knowledge. Furthermore, in some applications the results are implemented as software solutions so that they can be continuously utilized. It is evident that the quality and amount of the knowledge formed is highly dependent on the transformations and the process applied. This thesis presents an application independent concept that can be used for managing the data mining process and implementing the acquired results as software applications. The developed concept is divided into two parts – solution formation and solution implementation. The first part presents a systematic way for finding a data mining solution from a set of measurement data. The developed approach allows for easier application of a variety of algorithms to the data, manages the work chain, and differentiates between the data mining tasks. The method is based on storage of the data between the main stages of the data mining process, where the different stages of the process are defined on the basis of the type of algorithms applied to the data. The efficiency of the process is demonstrated with a case study presenting new solutions for resistance spot welding quality control. The second part of the concept presents a component-based data mining application framework, called Smart Archive, designed for implementing the solution. The framework provides functionality that is common to most data mining applications and is especially suitable for implementing applications that process continuously acquired measurements. The work also proposes an efficient algorithm for utilizing cumulative measurement data in the history component of the framework. Using the framework, it is possible to build high-quality data mining applications with shorter development times by configuring the framework to process application-specific data. The efficiency of the framework is illustrated using a case study presenting the results and implementation principles of an application developed for predicting steel slab temperatures in a hot strip mill. In conclusion, this thesis presents a concept that proposes solutions for two fundamental issues of data mining, the creation of a working data mining solution from a set of measurement data and the implementation of it as a stand-alone application.

La détermination de la tenue mécanique de points soudés est un enjeu industriel important, eten particulier dans le cas d’aciers à Très Haute Résistance. Actuellement, l’essai de tractionen croix est l’essai mécanique le plus répandu caractérisant la tenue des points soudés.Toutefois, l’étude de l’influence des différentes zones constituant le point soudé sur la tenueest difficile en se basant sur cet essai.Un essai d’enfoncement de coin a été développé afin de caractériser les ruptures interfacialesdes points soudés. Une section transverse d’un point soudé est observée tandis qu’un coin estinséré entre les deux tôles soudés. Une caméra CCD enregistre l'observation de lapropagation de la fissure.Le pliage limité des tôles durant la fissuration rend efficace la classification des différentspoints soudés par l'énergie totale dissipée par unité de surface rompue. De plus, la mesure insitu de l’angle d’ouverture de fissure caractérise la fissuration stable de la zone fondue. Dessimulations par éléments finis de l’essai sont conduites afin d’estimer un lien entre cesmesures et la rupture du matériau, modélisée par des zones cohésives.La rupture interfaciale de points soudés d’aciers DP et TRIP a été étudiée. Les mesuresexpérimentales permettent d’estimer les paramètres de modèles cohésifs représentatifs de larupture de la zone fondue, constituant des données fiables susceptibles d’être utilisées danstoute simulation numérique du comportement du point soudé. / Characterization of spot weld strength is a key industrial issue, particularly in the case of Advanced High Strength Steels. Today, the most widely used mechanical test evaluating this strength is the Cross Tensile Test. However, investigating the role of the different zones of one spot weld based on this test is difficult.A wedge test has been developed in order to characterize interfacial failures of spot welds. A cross section of one spot weld is observed while a wedge is inserted in between the two welded sheets. A CCD camera records the observation of the propagating crack. The limited sheet bending occurring during crack propagation allows the spot weld classification based on the total energy dissipated per unit fractured area to be efficient.Furthermore, the stable crack propagation is characterized by the in situ measurement of the crack opening angle. Finite element simulations of the test are carried out to estimate a relation between these measurements and the material resistance, approached by a cohesive zone model.Interfacial failures of spot welds of DP and TRIP steels have been investigated. The experimental measurements allow to estimate parameters of a cohesive zone model representative of the molten material failure, providing reliable and appropriate data for simulations of the mechanical behavior of the complete spot weld.

The ambition of the Swedish government is rapidly concentrating on the development of the renewable energy systems especially on wind energy, bio energy and solar energy. It has been observed on the growth of the production of electricity and heat from these three mentioned renewable energy systems. But, relatively in Sweden the share of production of electricity obtained from PV is quite smaller than the other two. The PV electricity production in Sweden comprises in a large scale of mainly the grid connected distributed PV systems and with a small number of installed solar parks. The aim of this paper is to analyze the viability of installing mid -size PV solar parks in Sweden and to simulate the effect of the proposed project in the village’s (Åled is the village where the proposed site is located) and the country’s electricity production. This study includes designing, simulation and financial analysis of different grid connected centralized mid -size capacities of PV solar parks of 250 kWp,500 kWp,1MWp and 2MWp. They are all fixed ground mounted systems. Moreover, it also discusses the main reasons that hinders decision makers, the PV complications that are connected to the grid, Sweden’s energy regulations particularly the emission regulation and the financial policies of PV. Also, study visit, telephone and email contacts have supplemented it. This study was done with the collaboration of Nyedal Solenergi, in which the proposed site was owned by the company and this paper will be a future guide for the investment of the mid-size PV solar park. According to the study a discussion has been made with the grid supplier (EON) in that area on the investment on one of the designed projects which are presented in this paper. The results of the study show that the effect of the proposed systems on the production of electricity in the village of Åled was between 2.68 – 21.4 % and the impact on the country’s PV electricity production was 0.2 – 1.58 %. And, the possibility of installing mid-size PV solar parks generally in Sweden particularly in the proposed site is possible and economically it is viable but not profitable for system capacities less than 1 MW. As the IRR found for all capacities is greater than the estimated WACC, hence each proposed capacity has the possibility of paying back all its investment costs in about 23 years. So, the profitability is very low in case of the 250 kWp and 500 kWp but for the others they have about 7-8 years of profitability. A sensitivity analysis also has shown the impact of initial investment costs, O & M costs and electricity export rate on the IRR, NPV and equity payback. The initial investment cost and electricity export rate were seen with high effect on the IRR, NPV and equity payback. The LCOE calculated was higher than the average electricity spot price (300 SEK/MWh) for 250 kWp and 500 kWp but lower for the other two capacities. The overall impact for the financial analysis was due to the decreasing of module prices, the rules that changes every year on electricity subsidies for renewables, tax reductions and rapid decreasing of electricity spot prices. In the future if the price of modules continues decreasing, spot price increases, more modification of the subsidy and introduction of new PV technologies integrated with other sources of energy is done then such projects could be more profitable.

Citrus black spot (CBS), caused by Guignardia citricarpa Kiely, occurs in various citrus producing regions of the world. Due to the potential phytosanitary risk associated with the export of fruit from CBS positive production areas to CBS-free countries, restrictive trade barriers have been introduced. This study aimed to further elucidate some epidemiological aspects of CBS that can be used to address critical questions identified in the pest risk assessment submitted by South Africa to the World Trade Organisation to address phytosanitary trade restrictions. Results indicated that Eureka lemon leaf litter exposed to viable pycnidiospores under controlled conditions or in the field in different production regions of South Africa, were not infected and colonised by G. citricarpa. Symptomatic CBS fruit or peel lying on the ground underneath citrus trees therefore can not lead to infection and colonisation of freshly detached leaves or leaf litter, or represent a source of inoculum in citrus orchards. Symptomatic fruit therefore pose no danger for the establishment of the pathogen in CBS-free orchards and are not considered to be a pathway for the pathogen. The period of leaf susceptibility to G. citricarpa was indicated to be maximum eight and ten months from development, for Valencia orange and Eureka lemon, respectively, in a greenhouse study. The susceptibility period of citrus leaves to infection by the black spot pathogen could be longer than previously perceived. Ascospores were captured, using the newly developed Kotzé Inoculum Monitor (KIM), from natural Valencia orange and Eureka lemon leaf litter during October to March with peak ascospore availability between December to February. The KIM is the first sampler designed to capture fungal spores directly from plant material in the laboratory without environmental influences and was effectively used to confirm that ascospores production is seasonal. The KIM in combination with environmental data can be used to improve control through more targeted fungicide applications. Techniques such as isolations and DNA amplification with species-specific primers to detect the pathogen directly from symptomless green leaves have a low success rate due to the restricted growth of the pathogen in latently infected tissue. Artificial leaf wilting enhanced the detection of G. citricarpa from symptomless leaves. Leaf wilting is a reliable, fast and effective method to detect the CBS pathogen and can be applied to monitor citrus nurseries and orchards throughout the year. It can also be applied to monitor pest-free orchards to maintain its CBS pest-free status. This study confirmed that sanitation practices, such as leaf litter removal and mulching of leaf litter with wheat straw can decrease the primary inoculum, ascospores, of CBS and contribute to better management of the disease in a commercial orchard. Regardless of the prevailing climatic conditions each year, control achieved through leaf litter management resulted in >95% clean fruit and are equal to the control achieved with industry standard fungicides. This approach provided improved integrated disease control and an alternative to chemical control. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted