Corn is a valuable agricultural commodity in the United States and in the world. The causal agent of Stewart's wilt disease in corn, Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii, is a bacterial phytopathogen that is vectored into the plant by the corn flea beetle, Chaetocnema pulicaria. After entering the apoplast of the leaf, the bacteria cause water soaking symptoms before traveling to the plant xylem to form a dense biofilm, thereby blocking water transport and inducing necrosis and wilt. This results in reduced crop yield and may even lead to death of the corn plant. To better understand the in planta requirements of this pathogen, a whole transcriptome study was performed via RNA-Seq to determine genes differentially expressed in the bacteria while inside the corn. It was found that nutrient transporters and stress response genes were upregulated specifically when the bacteria are in their host plant, suggesting a response to nutrient availability and host defense in the xylem. Further elucidation of the genes required for the P. stewartii in planta lifestyle was performed via a reverse genetics approach where in-frame gene deletions and the corresponding complementation strains were constructed for genes that had shown a fitness defect in corn based on a previously published Tn-Seq study: genes encoding seven transcription factors, nsrR, iscR, lrp, nac, DSJ_00125, DSJ_03645, and DSJ_18135, as well as a hypothetical protein DSJ_21690. Investigation of the physiological role of these genes was performed using in planta virulence and competition assays for all strains. An in planta qRT-PCR analysis of bacterial gene transcription was also completed for the strains with deletions in nsrR and iscR. In vitro assays were performed on all strains to determine their capsule production and motility phenotypes. Taken together, it was seen that iscR is important for colonization capabilities in planta, both NsrR and IscR act as regulators, and lrp is important for full disease capabilities, perhaps due to reduced capsule and motility phenotypes. These findings lay the groundwork for finding potential disease intervention strategies not only against P. stewartii, but also other xylem-dwelling bacterial phytopathogens. In addition to exploring ways to enhance crop yield, an additional research area was on repurposing a byproduct of corn ethanol production, syrup. It was hypothesized that this corn-based syrup could be utilized as a carbon source to grown bacteria. In turn, the resulting bacterial biomass could then be added as a fish feed supplement in aquaculture. Syrup was tested as a growth medium for individual soil bacterial isolates as well as a full mixed bacterial community consortium to determine which bacteria could grow most efficiently, both in rate and yield. It was found that the highest growth rate and yield was from Bacillus species, some of which may have probiotic benefits to fish. Ultimately, the collective outcomes from these projects in basic research about a bacterial corn pathogen and applied research about beneficial microbes grown on a corn-based substrate are expected to improve scientific endeavors as well as agricultural practices. / Doctor of Philosophy / Corn is a top agricultural commodity in the United States, as a food for human consumption, a primary nutrient source used in animal feed, and a substrate consumed during biofuel production. These various corn-based industries are impacted by bacteria in multiple ways; in some cases, bacteria may cause disease that reduces crop yield, but other bacteria serve beneficial roles that enhance health. This dissertation research describes studies about the bacterium that causes Stewart's wilt disease in corn, Panteoa stewartii subsp. stewartii. In an initial experiment, the genes that P. stewartii expresses at the highest levels when it grows inside the corn plant were identified. These genes were deduced to be important for the ability of the bacterium to live successfully in this environment. This work was followed up with a more specific approach that examined the role of certain genes that were predicted to be master regulators of the expression of other genes in the ability of the P. stewartii to colonize the plant and/or cause disease. By identifying key bacterial genes, disease intervention strategies to combat Stewart's wilt and other similar bacterial plant pathogen diseases might become possible. Protecting corn yields is important for ethanol production. The final study of this dissertation examined the ability of bacteria to grow on a byproduct of ethanol production called syrup. The goal was to then use the biomass of these beneficial microbes as a food source for animals being produced in aquaculture facilities. Among the species tested, the highest growth rate and yield was from Bacillus subtilis, a safe-to-eat bacterium that has known beneficial health properties when consumed by fish. Overall, the research studies that were completed for this dissertation have the potential to improve agricultural practices by decreasing corn disease leading to increased corn yield and developing new downstream corn-based animal feed products.

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), a Tospovirus, is one of the ten most economically destructive plant viruses worldwide, causing losses exceeding one billion U.S. dollars annually on several crops. In South Africa (SA), TSWV has become an important virus in many economically important crops. The main objective of this research project was to isolate, identify and characterise TSWV isolates occurring in SA. A review of current literature assembled background information on TSWV molecular biology, epidemiology, transmission, detection and control. A TSWV isolate infecting pepper (Capsicum sp.) occurring in KZN was isolated and partially characterised. The virus was positively identified as TSWV using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the presence of typical necrotic TSWV symptoms on Nicotinia rustica L. Symptomatic leaves were harvested and the virus was partially purified using standard procedures. Under the transmission electron microscope (TEM), typical quasi-spherical and dumbbell-shaped particles of 80-100nm in diameter were observed in negatively stained preparations of both crude and purified virus samples. In negatively stained ultra-thin virus infected leaf sections, an abundance of mature viral particles (100nm) housed in the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) were observed among typical viroplasm inclusions (30nm) and hollow tubules (200-300nm). A viral protein migrating as a 29kDa band, which corresponds to the TSWV nucleocapsid (N) protein, was observed after sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis. Total plant RNA, isolated from N. rustica displaying typical symptoms was subjected to reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using .primers specific to the nucleocapsid (N) gene. An expected 760bp product was amplified. The results obtained in this study confirm the presence of TSWV in infected pepper plants from KZN. The genetic diversity of TSWV isolates occurring in SA was examined. The nucleocapsid (N) gene sequences of six SA TSWV isolates originating from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, North West, Limpopo and Mpumulanga provinces were determined and used in a phylogenetic tree comparison with TSWV isolates occurring in different geographical locations in the world. Nucleotide sequence comparisons of the N gene revealed high levels of similarity between the SA isolates and TSWV isolates from Asia and Europe. SA isolates showed a high degree of sequence similarity (99-100%) which was reflected in their distinct clustering pattern. The resistance of tomato (Lycopersicon escuJentum Mill.) plants with natural and transgenic resistance against mechanical inoculation with TSWV isolates occurring in SA was evaluated. The Stevens cultivar which has natural resistance conferred by the Sw-5 gene and the transgenic 13-1 line, which expresses the nucleocapsid (N) protein gene of the TSWV-BL isolate, was used as test cultivars. Plants were assessed for TSWV resistance using a disease severity rating scale and measurements of virion accumulation levels (A405nm). There were no significant differences among the reactions produced by the six TSWV isolates on the test plants. Although both plants were susceptible to the SA TSWV isolates by exhibiting similarly high viral accumulation levels, the transgenic tomato line showed milder disease severity compared to the natural resistant cultivar. Results suggest that transgenic resistance is a more effective approach in the control of TSWV in SA. The information generated in this study will be useful in formulating effective control measures using genetic engineering approaches for this economically important virus. Such approaches will be used as a tool to make strategic decisions in an integrated control programme for ISWV. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

Master of Science / Department of Entomology / David C. Margolies / James R. Nechols / A two-year greenhouse experiment was conducted to compare the relative effectiveness of biological control versus chemical control for western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, as a means of reducing the spread of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) on tomatoes. To compare efficacy of different thrips management tactics for reducing TSWV incidence, tomatoes were subjected to one of three treatments: 1) biological control based on weekly releases of the predatory mite, Amblyseius cucumeris, at a commercially-recommended rate, 2) a single chemical treatment with Conserve®, a spinosad formulation, or 3) no treatment. TSWV was introduced into the greenhouse either by starting with 20% of the crop already infected and releasing non-viruliferous thrips, or by making a single release of viruliferous thrips. Analyses were done among thrips management tactics for each virus introduction method to examine the cumulative number of weeks plants were infected, the weekly proportion of infected plants, and total marketable yield. The effects of different virus introduction methods were also compared. A comparison of virus introduction methods showed that, among all plants, the average number of weeks they were infected by TSWV was significantly lower when virus was introduced through infected plants than by infected thrips. In addition, when virus was introduced by infected thrips, a significantly greater proportion of plants were infected in any given week than when virus was introduced on infected plants. Finally, crop yields were significantly lower when virus was introduced via infected thrips than on infected plants. Among thrips management methods, plants were infected for significantly less time, and the proportion infected was lower in any given week, when biological or chemical control was applied compared to no thrips management. Tomato yields were not affected by thrips management tactic. There was no significant difference between biological and chemical control in the length of time that plants showed symptoms. However, the proportion of infected plants was marginally greater with biological control in weeks 4 and 5 than with chemical control; differences were not significant thereafter. My findings suggest that inundative releases of biological control may provide as adequate a level of protection from TSWV as chemical control in commercial greenhouse tomato crops.

A doença da bananeira \'mal-do-Panamá\', causada pelo fungo Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) é uma das doenças mais destrutivas da bananeira e é considerada uma das seis doenças economicamente mais importante da história da humanidade. Algumas cultivares resistentes, como a \'BRS Platina\', foram lançadas pela Embrapa, porém para a sustentabilidade da resistência é necessário entender os mecanismos moleculares envolvidos na resposta de resistência e defesa. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar o processo de infecção pelo Foc raça 1 em três cultivares contrastantes para a resistência e analisar o padrão transcricional no início da interação. A análise histopatológica indicou que o Foc raça 1 penetra pela raízes laterais e principal, colonizando os espaços inter e intracelular do córtex nas três cultivares. Foram visualizadas, hifas \'globosas\' na cultivar suscetível \'Maçã\' com a formação de estruturas de resistência, como clamidósporos. Na cultivar resistente \'BRS Platina\', foi observado por microscopia óptica no período inicial da interação (24 horas após inoculação) a indução de respostas de defesa da planta, como formação de zona de cicatrização, e aos 15 dias após inoculação, formação de tilose, presença de cristais de oxalato de cálcio e deposição de calose. Foi utilizada a tecnologia Illumina para sequenciamento massal de RNA e abordagens de bioinformática para identificar genes diferencialmente expressos (DE) relacionados com a resposta de defesa de bananeira em interações compatíveis e incompatíveis. O sequenciamento paired-end gerou um total de 113.632.486 fragmentos (reads) com alta qualidade. Do total de reads alinhados no genoma referência (\'DH-Pahang\'), 55.555.480 alinharam-se com genes conhecidos e anotados no genoma referência, sendo utilizados para a análise DE inoculado x não inoculado, permitindo detectar 2.307 genes para as três cultivares. Os genes anotados de cada cultivar foram comparados, sendo identificados quatro genes comuns para as três cultivares, dez compartilhados entre \'Maçã\' e \'Prata-anã\', 21 compartilhados entre \'BRS Platina\' e \'Maçã\', 114 compartilhados entre \'BRS Platina\' e \'Prata-anã\', além de 75 serem exclusivos de \'Maçã\', 599 de \'BRS Platina\' e 1484 de \'Prata-anã\'. O mecanismo de resistência/defesa ao Foc em \'BRS Platina\', ocorre em nível de percepção precoce na presença do patógeno desencadeando resposta de defesa inexistente em \'Maçã\', e com cinética distinta da cultivar com resposta intermediária (\'Prata-anã\'). Dessa forma, os resultados permitiram propor um modelo da resposta de defesa/resistência ao Foc raça 1 em bananeira, baseando-se no nível de indução de genes que codificam para proteínas de reconhecimento do patógeno (receptor like kinase), fatores de transcrição (WRKY e MYB); reforço e síntese de parede celular, degradação da parede celular do fungo (quitinase e glucanases), heat shocks, enzimas antioxidantes e na resposta visualizada pela histologia na cultivar \'BRS Platina\'. Sendo assim, este trabalho fornece novas perspectivas para estudos de análise funcional, identificação e anotação de novos genes relacionados a resposta de defesa e resistência ao Foc raça 1. / The banana Panama disease, caused by fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), is one of the most destructive disease of the industry, and it is considered one of the six most economically important of all times. A few cultivars, such as \'BRS Platina\', were released, but it is still necessary to understand molecular mechanisms involved in defense response and resistance. The objective of this study was to characterize the infection process by Foc in three banana cultivars contrasting for resistance to Foc and to analyze the transcriptional profile at the beginning of interaction. In this way, Foc race 1 penetrated the main and lateral roots, colonizing inter- and intracellular spaces of the root cortex in the three cultivars. Hyphae were globose in the susceptible cultivar \'Maçã\' with the formation of resilience structure, such as chlamydospores. In the resistant cultivar \'BRS Platina\', during the initial period of interaction (24 hours after inoculation), induced of plant defense responses, such as a healing zone, tylosis formation, presence of calcium oxalate and callose deposition. The Illumina technology were applied to sequence RNA, followed by bioinformatic tools to identify genes differentially expressed (DE) related to resistance and defense response in the compatible and incompatible interactions. Pair-end sequencing generated a total of 113,632,486 reads with high quality. From the total of aligned reads to the banana reference genome (\'DH-Pahang\'), 55,555,480 aligned with gene models annotated in the reference genome. The aligned contigs were analysed for DE, comparing inoculated x non-inoculated, enabling the detection of 2307 genes for the three cultivars. Each annotated gene from each cultivar was compared: four common genes to the three cultiars; 10 genes were shared between \'Maçã\' and \'Prata-anã\'; 21 shared between \'BRS Platina\' and \'Maçã\'; 114 shared between \'BRS Platina\' and \'Prata-anã\', plus 75 exclusive to \'Maçã\'; 599 exclusive to \'BRS Platina\' and 1,484 to \'Prata-anã\'. The mechanism of resistance/defense in \'BRS Platina\', level of perception occurs early in the presence of the pathogen defense response triggering nonexistent in \'Maçã\' and with kinetics distinct cultivar with intermediate response (\'Prata-anã\'). Thus, the results have provided a model of defense response/resistance to Foc race 1 in banana, based on the level of gene induction that encode recognition proteins (Receptor-like Kinase, RLK), transcription factors (WRKY and MYB), cell wall synthesis and reinforcement, degradation of fungal cell wall (chitinases and glucanases), heat shocks , proteins;anto-oxidative enzymes and visualized by histologcal in response cultivar \'BRS Platina\'. The present work offer new perspectives to functional analyses, identification and annotation of new genes related to resistance and defense response to Foc race 1.

Submitted by (lucia.rodrigues@ufrpe.br) on 2017-02-17T15:25:38Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Cleia Santos Cabral.pdf: 1106804 bytes, checksum: 14447df94770ff469bfc234136893b59 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-17T15:25:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cleia Santos Cabral.pdf: 1106804 bytes, checksum: 14447df94770ff469bfc234136893b59 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-17 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae (FOLac), is an important disease of lettuce in the world. This disease was reported in Brazil, recently. From 2008 to 2011 the laboratories of Plant Pathology of Embrapa Hortaliças (Embrapa Vegetable Crops), Sakata Seeds Sudamerica and Instituto Capixaba de Pesquisa, Assistência Técnica e Extensão Rural (INCAPER) collected some FOLac isolates in states from the Southern and the Southeastern regions of Brazil. The isolates were identified as F. oxysporum by the morphological characteristics of conidia and conidiophores. Isolates were inoculated on lettuce plants, cultivars Elisa, Vera, and Red Salad Bowl, conditions in a greenhouse. Isolates were also inoculated on plants of others Asteraceae species (Cichorium endivia, Cichorium intybus, Sonchus oleraceus, Emilia sonchifolia, Bidens pilosa e Tagetes erecta) and others botanical families as (Solanum lycopersicum, Capsicum annuum, Nicotiana tabacum, Gossypium hirsutum, Phaseolus vulgaris e Ocimum basilicum). Lettuce cultivars Elisa and Vera were suscetible to all isolates while the cultivar Red Salad Bowl was resistant. All isolates were reisolated from diseased plants fulfilling the Koch‟s postulates. Others plant species were not susceptible to any isolate, proving that isolates belong to the species F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae. The isolates were also inoculated in a differential set of cultivars comprising: „Patriot‟ (Susceptible to all races), „Costa Rica No. 4‟ (resistant to race 1) and „Banchu Red Fire‟ (resistant to race 2). Cultivars „Patriot‟ and „Banchu Red Fire‟ were susceptible while „Costa Rica No. 4‟ was resistant, confirming that all the isolates were race 1. Molecular analysis using a primer specific to race 1 isolates was performed using F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) raça 3 and a non-pathogenic isolate as negative controls. DNAs of FOLac isolates were amplified by PCR and those of the negative controls were not, confirming the specificity of the primers and the presence of only the race 1 of FOLac in Brazil. In addition, it was used the Translation elongation factor 1-α region (tef-1α) for phylogenetic analysis between FOLac isolates races 1 and 2 and isolates of F. oxysporum. Comparison of the sequences obtained with the tef-1α confirmed the polyphyletic origin of the forma specialis lactucae and also showed a greater genetic variability among Brazilian isolates of FOLac race 1compared with isolates of the same race available in GenBank. After the isolates characterization, it was made a screening of 102 accessions for resistance to the isolate Fus-173 and it was selected 47 as highly resistant. After this, the selected genotypes were evaluated for the stability of resistance in three additional assays, using different FOLac race 1 isolates. In all three assays it was used a highly susceptible cultivar (Regina) as susceptible control. In the first assay, carried out in October 2011, it were used the isolates Fus-202 and Fus-205. In the second assay, carried out in November 2011, it were used the isolates Fus-219 and Fus-222. In the third assay, carried out in December 2011, it were used the isolates (Fus-207, Fus-209 e Fus-220). Inoculation was performed on 25 days old seedlings on greenhouse conditions. Seedlings were inoculated by cutting their roots and emerging them in spore suspension of pathogen. Evaluation was carries out 30 days after inoculation, using a grade scale varying from 0 (heath plants) to 4 (dead plants). Data were transformed in Disease Index (DI) submitted to a variance analysis and the media were compared by the Tukey‟s test (5%). Thirty two accessions were identified as having broad spectrum of resistance to different pathogen isolates in the four inoculation seasons. / A murcha de fusário, causada pelo fungo Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae (FOLac) é uma das doenças mais importantes da alface. Esta doença foi relatada recentemente no Brasil. Nos anos de 2008 a 2011 foram coletados isolados de FOLac nos Laboratórios de Fitopatologia da Embrapa Hortaliças, Sakata Seed Sudamerica Ltda e do Instituto Capixaba de Pesquisa, Assistência Técnica e Extensão Rural (Incaper). Estes eram provenientes de todos os estados das Regiões Sul e Sudeste do Brasil. A identificação foi feita observando-se as características morfológicas de conídios e conidióforos. Os isolados foram inoculados em plantas das cultivares Elisa, Vera e Red Salad Bowl, em condições de casa de vegetação. Os mesmos também foram inoculados em plantas de outras espécies de Asteraceae (Cichorium endivia, Cichorium intybus, Sonchus oleraceus, Emilia sonchifolia, Bidens pilosa e Tagetes erecta) e de outras famílias (Solanum lycopersicum, Capsicum annuum, Nicotiana tabacum, Gossypium hirsutum, Phaseolus vulgaris e Ocimum basilicum). Os isolados foram identificados como Fusarium oxysporum. As cultivares Elisa e Vera foram suscetíveis a todos os isolados e a Red Salad Bowl foi resistente. Efetuou-se o re-isolamento do patógeno, completando-se assim os Postulados de Koch. Nenhuma outra espécie de planta foi suscetível ao patógeno, confirmando a identificação como F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae. Em seguida, os isolados foram avaliados quanto a sua virulência numa série de cultivares diferenciadoras de raças: Patriot (suscetível), Costa Rica No. 4 (resistente à raça 1) e Banchu Red Fire (resistente à raça 2). As cultivares Patriot e Banchu Red Fire comportaram-se como suscetíveis a todos os isolados, enquanto a cultivar Costa Rica No. 4 comportou-se como resistente. Concluiu-se que os isolados avaliados são da raça 1 de FOLac. Adicionalmente, foi feito um teste com primers específicos para a raça 1 de FOLac, utilizando como controles um isolado de F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) raça 3 e um isolado não patogênico de F. oxysporum. O fragmento de DNA foi amplificado por PCR para os isolados de FOLac e não foi amplificado para o isolado de FOL e nem para o isolado não patogênico de F. oxysporum. Este resultado confirma a especificidade desse par de primers e a presença apenas da raça 1 de FOLac no Brasil. Além disso, foi utilizada a região do fator de elongação da tradução (tef-1α) para análise filogenética entre os isolados FOLac raças 1 e 2 e isolados de F. oxysporum. Comparação das seqüências obtidas com o tef-1α confirmou a origem polifilética da forma specialis lactucae e também observou-se uma maior variabilidade genética entre os isolados brasileiros de FOLac raça 1 comparados com isolados da mesma raça disponíveis no GenbanK. Posteriormente, 102 acessos (cultivares comerciais ou linhagens) foram avaliados, visando identificar fontes de resistência a FOLac e analisar a estabilidade da resistência de acessos promissores a diferentes isolados do patógeno. Inicialmente foi feita uma seleção preliminar, utilizando um isolado do patógeno (Fus-173). Em seguida, quarenta e sete acessos altamente resistentes mais uma testemunha suscetível (Regina), identificados na seleção preliminar, foram reavaliados para estabilidade da resistência ao FOLac raça 1, utilizando os isolados (Fus-202 e Fus-205) no mês de Outubro de 2011; isolados (Fus-219 e Fus-222) no mês de Novembro de 2011 e isolados (Fus-207, Fus-209 e Fus-220) no mês de Dezembro de 2011. A inoculação foi realizada em condições de casa de vegetação, pelo método de corte das raízes e imersão na suspensão de conídios do patógeno. A avaliação foi realizada após 30 dias, com auxílio de escala de notas variando de 0 (planta sadia) a 4 (planta morta). Os dados obtidos foram transformados em índice de doença (ID) e submetidos a uma análise de variância e comparação de médias pelo teste de Tukey (5%). Foram identificados trinta e dois acessos apresentando amplo espectro de resistência aos diferentes isolados do patógeno nas quatro épocas de inoculação.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2004-11-25Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:05:03Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 theodoro_gf_dr_botfca.pdf: 486962 bytes, checksum: 133c964b71961b171a0d897af6f2f21e (MD5) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / Este trabalho visou avaliar a ocorrência da bactéria Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens em lavouras de feijoeiro localizadas em alguns municípios do Estado de Santa Catarina nas safras 2002/03 e 2003/04; a reação de genótipos de feijoeiro à murcha-de-curtobacterium; e o efeito de doses de nitrogênio (N) e potássio (K) sobre a severidade da doença, peso da matéria seca e o conteúdo de diversos nutrientes na parte aérea das cultivares IAC Carioca Pyatã, IPR 88 - Uirapuru e SCS 202 - Guará. Foram coletadas plantas com sintoma de murcha em lavouras de feijoeiro em 12 municípios. Posteriormente, procedeu-se ao isolamento, à purificação e à caracterização da bactéria e aos testes de patogenicidade. Aos 10 dias após a semeadura, plântulas de 24 genótipos de feijoeiro, conduzidas em casa-de-vegetação, foram inoculadas com o isolado FJ 36. A severidade da murcha-de-curtobacterium foi avaliada, a cada cinco dias, até aos 25 dias após a inoculação. Tanto no experimento que avaliou o efeito do N (uréia) quanto do K (cloreto de potássio) na severidade da doença, empregou-se a dose recomendada pela análise de solo e variações de 25 e 50 % abaixo e acima da mesma. Foi coletada a parte aérea das plantas antes e após as adubações, aos 25 DAS, para se aferir o peso da matéria seca e o conteúdo de N, fósforo (P), K, cálcio (Ca) e magnésio (Mg). Constatou-se que C. f. pv. flaccumfaciens esteve presente em plantas cultivadas nos municípios de Campos Novos, Faxinal dos Guedes, Guatambu, Ipuaçu, Ponte Serrada e Tigrinhos. Dos genótipos avaliados, somente as cultivares IAC Carioca Akytã, IAC Carioca Aruã e IAC Carioca Pyatã, considerados como padrões de resistência à doença, apresentaram-se com as menores notas de severidade média e valores de área abaixo da curva do progresso da murcha-de-curtobacterium (AACPMC)... . / This work aimed evaluate the occurrence of the bacteria Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens in common bean fields of Santa Catarina State, during the harvest of 2002/03 and 2003/04; the reaction of bean genotypes to the bacterial wilt; and the effect of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) levels on the severity of the disease, the weight of the dry mass and the content of nutrients I nthe aerial part of the cultivars IAC Carioca Pyatã, IPR 88 - Uirapuru and SCS 202 - Guará cultivars. Plants with symptoms of wilt were collected in bean fields of 12 cities. It was made the isolation, purification and cultural characterization of the bacteria and the procedures to fulfill the Kochþs postulates. The inoculation with the strain FJ 36 was done in the 10th day after the sow of 24 common bean genotypes, under greenhouse conditions. The bacterial wilt severity was evaluated, in each five days, until the 25th day after inoculation. It was adopted as treatments the recommended level of N (urea) and K (potassium chloride), by the soil analysis, as well levels 25% and 50% under and below it. The aerial part of the plants was collected before and after the fertilizations, to determine the weight of the dry mass and the content of N, phosphorus (P), K, calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens was detected in plants cultivated in Campos Novos, Faxinal dos Guedes, Guatambu, Ipuaçu, Ponte Serrada and Tigrinhos. Regarding the evaluated genotypes, only the cultivars IAC Carioca Akytã, IAC Carioca Aruã e IAC Carioca Pyatã, considered as patterns of resistance, had the lower values of average severity and area under the bacterial wilt progress curve (AUBWPC). However, although to have been considered susceptible, the cultivars SCS 202 - Guará and IPR Graúna showed relatively low values of AUBWPC... (Complete abstract, click electronic address below).

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Pathogens of the genus Ceratocystis are polyphagous, attacking several species of economic importance, such as black wattle, eucalyptus, mango and cocoa, these have wide variability even within a single genus or species, the result of adaptations to the environment they live in and the hosts available. Study the behavior of these pathogens such as Ceratocystis fimbriata in forest species is important to understand the ways of survival variability and fungus resistance mainly native species. The use of biocontrol as of the genera Trichoderma and Bacillus, have been widely studied as an alternative for the biological control of soil borne pathogens. Hence, the present work aims to study the behavior of different isolates of C. fimbriata obtained from kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) in forest species as black wattle (Acacia mearnsii), guava (Psidium cattleianum), araucaria (Araucaria angustifolia), cherry (Eugenia involucrata) and inga (Inga marginata); potential biocontrol in vitro Trichoderma spp. and Bacillus subtilis about C. fimbriata and the in vivo behavior of B. subtilis in seedlings of black wattle , against C. fimbriata as an alternative control . For this purpose, we used isolates of C. fimbriata obtained and identified in kiwi plantations. In the pathogenicity test isolates were evaluated for their pathogenic variability and behavior on seedlings of black wattle, guava, araucaria, cherry and inga. Through direct confrontation testing was analyzed in vitro antagonistic potential of Trichoderma spp. and B. subtilis on the pathogen. For the evaluation of the in vivo behavior of B. subtilis black wattle seedlings were inoculated with product Rizolyptus®, seven days before and seven days after pathogen inoculation. Seedlings inoculated with native species C. fimbriata showed no sign of wilting or discoloration of the tissues. However, in seedlings of Acacia mearnsii isolates of C. fimbriata exhibited severity percentage ranging from 44.15 to 100%. In direct confrontation testing isolates of Trichoderma spp. and B. subtilis demonstrated to be effective in vitro on biocontrol isolates of C. fimbriata with percentages of inhibition ranging from 46.48 to 57.76 and from 14.12 to 32.20 % respectively. In biocontrol in vivo test, the Rizolyptus® product was not effective in controlling C. fimbriata and all black wattle seedlings inoculated with the pathogen showed symptoms of wilting and death. / Patógenos do gênero Ceratocystis são polífagos, atacando diversas espécies com importância econômica, como a acácia-negra, eucalipto, mangueira e cacau, estes possuem ampla variabilidade, mesmo dentro de um único gênero ou espécie, resultado de adaptações ao meio em que vivem e aos hospedeiros disponíveis. Estudar o comportamento destes patógenos, como Ceratocystis fimbriata, em espécies florestais é importante para compreender as formas de sobrevivência, variabilidade e resistência do fungo principalmente em espécies nativas. O uso de biocontroladores como, dos gêneros Trichoderma e Bacillus, tem sido largamente estudado como alternativa para o controle biológico de patógenos de solo. Diante disto, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo estudar o comportamento de diferentes isolados de C. fimbriata obtidos de kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) em espécies florestais como, acácia-negra (Acacia mearnsii), araçá (Psidium cattleianum), araucária (Araucaria angustifolia), cerejeira (Eugenia involucrata) e ingá (Inga marginata); o potencial de biocontrole in vitro de Trichoderma spp. e Bacillus subtilis sobre C. fimbriata e o comportamento in vivo de B. subtilis em mudas de acácia-negra, frente a C. fimbriata, como alternativa de controle. Para tanto, foram utilizados isolados de C. fimbriata obtidos e identificados em plantios de kiwi. No teste de patogenicidade cruzada os isolados foram avaliados quanto à sua variabilidade patogênica e o comportamento sobre mudas de acácia-negra, araçá, araucária, cerejeira e ingá. Através de testes de confrontação direta foi analisado o potencial antagônico in vitro de Trichoderma spp. e B. subtilis sobre o patógeno. Para a avaliação do comportamento in vivo de B. subtilis as mudas de acácia-negra foram inoculadas com o produto Rizolyptus®, sete dias antes e após a inoculação do patógeno. As mudas de espécies nativas inoculadas com C. fimbriata não exibiram sintoma de murcha ou descoloração dos tecidos. Entretanto, em mudas de acácia-negra os isolados de C. fimbriata exibiram percentuais de severidade que variam entre 44,15 a 100%. Nos testes de confrontação direta os isolados de Trichoderma spp. e B. subtilis demostraram-se eficientes no biocontrole in vitro sobre os isolados de C. fimbriata com percentuais de inibição variando de 46,48 a 57,76 e 14,12 a 32,20% respectivamente. No teste de biocontrole in vivo, o produto Rizolyptus® não foi eficiente no controle de C. fimbriata e todas as mudas de acácia-negra inoculadas com o patógeno apresentaram sintomas de murcha e morte.

Submitted by LEILA CRISTIANE DELMADI (leila.delmadi@unemat.br) on 2018-02-16T19:25:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE FINAL_Leila Cristiane Delmadi 08_02_18.pdf: 4391349 bytes, checksum: e4b70ce78d01a2f04c5de286b9ee9c47 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Lucia Martins Frederico null (mlucia@fca.unesp.br) on 2018-02-19T11:36:38Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 delmadi_lc_dr_botfca.pdf: 4391349 bytes, checksum: e4b70ce78d01a2f04c5de286b9ee9c47 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-02-19T11:36:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 delmadi_lc_dr_botfca.pdf: 4391349 bytes, checksum: e4b70ce78d01a2f04c5de286b9ee9c47 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-06-02 / A espécie florestal Tectona grandis (Teca) é nativa do sudeste asiático, possui grande porte, rápido crescimento, produtora de madeira nobre e valorizada por sua beleza, resistência e durabilidade. No Brasil, surgiu como uma alternativa substituta a outras espécies, como o mogno (Swietenia macrophylla) e a cerejeira (Torresea acreana). A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo investigar a condição fitossanitária da teca em frutos e, testar a resistência de três diferentes clones à doenças fúngicas. Os objetivos específicos foram: i) avaliar frutos de teca de 3 procedências (Alta Floresta/MT, Cáceres/MT e Botucatu/SP) quanto a presença de patógenos; ii) testar a resistência de 3 clones (S0, S1 e S3) de T. grandis aos patógenos: Olivea tectonae, Fusarium oxysporum e Ceratocystis fimbriata em condições controladas; iii) elaborar uma escala diagramática com folhas adultas de T. grandis, para avaliação da ferrugem causada pelo fungo O. tectonae; iv) testar a resistência de 3 clones de teca (S0, S1 e S3) à doenças fúngicas em plantio de campo. Os experimentos foram conduzidos no Laboratório de Patologia Florestal - FCA/UNESP-Botucatu e também na Fazenda Experimental da UNESP em São Manoel/SP. Como resultados para o teste com frutos, obteve-se: Procedência Alta Floresta/MT, 13,33% de Aspergillus sp.; 3,33% de Colletotrichum sp. e Alternaria sp.; 1,66% de Septoria sp. e Penicillium sp.. Para os frutos procedentes de Cáceres/MT, 61,66% para o patógeno Fusarium sp., 8,33% com Penicillium sp., 1,66% com Arthrosporium sp. e Cunninghamella sp. Quanto a procedência Botucatu/SP, 21,66% com Aspergillus sp., 23,33% com Alternaria sp., 8,33% com Fusarium sp., 10% com Penicillium sp., 5% para Nigrospora sp. e 3,33% com Ovularia e Humicola. O experimento em condições controladas, com o fungo Olivea tectonae foi realizado com a pulverização de uma suspensão de esporos em concentração de 2,42 x 105 urediniósporos/mL-1. Observou-se que o período latente foi de 5 dias e, na análise de severidade o clone S0 apresentou um número de 59,4 pústulas/3cm², S1 com 86,6 e S3 com 88,1 pústulas/3cm². A inoculação dos fungos Fusarium oxysporum e Ceratocystis fimbriata foi feita com a introdução de um disco de cultura micelial em uma abertura feita no caule da planta a 10 cm do colo. Com a inoculação do F. oxysporum os resultados médios das lesões encontradas no caule, foram: S0 com 8,25 cm, S1 com 8,77 cm e S3 com 11,25 cm de lesão. Já com a inoculação do C. fimbriata as médias das lesões se deram, conforme segue: S0 com 13,2 cm, S1 com 15,3 cm e S3 com 14,8 cm de lesão. Não houve diferença significativa entre as médias nos clones testados. Para a elaboração da escala diagramática, foram determinados 7 níveis de severidade em função da distribuição da amostra para as folhas adultas (N0 = 0%; N1 = 2,5%; N2 = 5%; N3 = 10%; N4 = 20%; N5 = 40% e N6 = 80%). Com a adoção da escala proposta, a totalidade dos avaliadores apresentou melhor precisão, com R² = 0,93 em comparação ao resultado obtido sem o uso da escala (R² = 0,88). O plantio em campo se deu com a introdução de 4.274 mudas de teca, divididas em 3 clones distintos (S0, S1 e S3). Foram identificadas as doenças fúngicas com ocorrência natural, ferrugem e cancro, causadas respectivamente, pelos fungos: O. tectonae e Neofusiccocum parvum. Não houve diferença estatística entre os clones para nenhum dos patógenos avaliados. Conclui-se com isso, que nas condições em que foi instalado o experimento, os clones testados não apresentaram resistência horizontal as doenças acima descritas. / The forest species Tectona grandis (Teak) is native to Southeast Asia, has large, rapidly growing producer of noble wood and valued for its beauty, strength and durability. In Brazil, it emerged as a replacement alternative to other species, such as mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) and Cherry tree (Torresea acreana).The present research had as objective to investigate the phytosanitary condition of teak fruits and to test the resistance of three different clones to fungal diseases. The specific objectives were: i) to evaluate teak fruits from 3 provenances (Alta Floresta/MT, Cáceres/MT and Botucatu/SP) in the presence of pathogens; ii) to test the resistance of 3 clones (S0, S1 and S3) of T. grandis to pathogens: Olivea tectonae, Fusarium oxysporum and Ceratocystis fimbriata under controlled conditions; iii) to elaborate a diagrammatic scale with adult leaves of T. grandis, to evaluate the rust caused by the fungus O. tectonae; iv) to test the resistance of 3 teak clones (S0, S1 and S3) to fungal diseases in field planting. The experiments were conducted at the Laboratory of Forest Pathology - FCA/UNESP/Botucatu and also at the experimental farm of UNESP in São Manoel/SP. As results for the fruit test, we obtained: Provenance Alta Floresta/MT, 13.33% of Aspergillus sp.; 3.33% of Colletotrichum sp. and Alternaria sp.; 1.66% of Septoria sp. and Penicillium sp.. For fruits from Cáceres/MT, 61.66% for the pathogen Fusarium sp., 8.33% with Penicillium sp., 1.66% with Arthrosporium sp. and Cunninghamella sp. As for Botucatu/SP, 21.66% with Aspergillus sp., 23.33% with Alternaria sp., 8.33% with Fusarium sp., 10% with Penicillium sp., 5% for Nigrospora sp. and 3.33% with Ovularia and Humicola. The control under controlled conditions with fungus Olivea tectonae was carried out by spraying a suspension of spores in a concentration of 2,42 x 105 uredynopores/ml-1. It was observed that the latent period was 5 days and in the severity analysis clone S0 presented a number of 59,4 pustules/3cm², S1 with 86,6 and S3 with 88.1 pustules/3cm². The inoculation of fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Ceratocystis fimbriata was made with the introduction of a mycelial culture disc into an opening made in the plant stem at 10 cm from the colon. With the inoculation of F. oxysporum the average results of the lesions found in the stem were: S0 with 8,25 cm, S1 with 8,77 cm and S3 with 11,25 cm of lesion. With the inoculation of C. fimbriata, the mean of the lesions were as follows: S0 with 13,2 cm, S1 with 15,3 cm and S3 with 14,8 cm of lesion. There was no statistical difference between the clones tested. For the elaboration of the diagrammatic scale, 7 levels of severity were determined as a function of the sample distribution for the adult leaves (N0 = 0%, N1 = 2,5%, N2 = 5%, N3 = 10%, N4 = 20%, N5 = 40% and N6 = 80%). With the adoption of the proposed scale, all the evaluators presented better accuracy, with R² = 0,93 compared to the result obtained without the use of the scale (R² = 0,88). Field planting occurred with the introduction of 4.274 teak seedlings, divided into 3 distinct clones (S0, S1 and S3). Fungal diseases with natural occurrence, rust and cancer, caused respectively by fungi: O. tectonae and Neofusiccocum parvum. There was no statistical difference between the clones for any of the evaluated pathogens. It was concluded that, under the conditions in which the experiment was installed, the clones tested did not show horizontal resistance to the diseases described above.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:37:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 494315 bytes, checksum: ae779e1b9f8fc13a152740edf2e2b595 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-02-12 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol), is one of the major problems in tomato cultivation especially in green house crop. The soil infestation with this pathogen can make the green house cultivation unviable, therefore periodic fumigation is recommended to maintain low inoculum level in soil. This study was done to evaluate the fumigant effect of the mustard essential oil (MEO), containing 90% allyl isothiocyanate, to control Fol. In vitro bioassays were done to determine its effect on mycelial growth, sporulation and germination of conidia and clamydospores, with use of a wild Fol and benomyl resistant mutant (Folm). The fungal cultures in Petri plates were fumigated with different concentration of the MEO for 24 or 48 h, and then incubated in MEO free atmosphere. For all fungal propagules, the estimated DE50 was lowest if the fumigation was done for 48 h. The mycelium and conidia of the Fol were more susceptible to MEO than chlamydospores. The MEO did not affect sporulation. Fumigation with MEO was also evaluated for eradication of the chlamydospores of Folm in soil. Initially, the interaction between dose (0, 50, 100 or 150μL/L) and exposure time was determined (2, 4, 6 or 8 days). The soil infested with 2000 ±200 chlamydospores/g was placed in flasks, and after adding the requited amount of MEO the flasks were hermetically sealed. After each exposure period, the inoculum density of the fungus was determined by plating the soil dilutions on benomyl enriched galactosenitrate agar. The regression equation revealed that at dose of 125μL/L an exposure period of 5.4 days was required to eradicate Folm. To determine the fumigant effect of MEO in the green house, 20L of soil infested with 4000 ±250 chlamydospores/g was placed in the plastic bags of 30L, and treated with 0, 50, 100 or 150μL/L of MEO. The bags were then sealed and stored. After 7-days exposure period, the soil was distributed into 4L-plastic pots, and one 20-day old tomato seedling was transplanted into each pot. At 15-day interval, soil from each pot was sampled at 15-day interval to follow the population dynamic of the fungus. The disease progress was accompanied by leaf chlorophyll analysis leaves, and the final severity was evaluated by use of a numerical at the end of 60 days. It was found that the soil fumigation with 150μL/L of MEO reduced the Folm inoculum density by 95% and the disease severity was less than 15%. / A murcha de fusário, causada por Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol), é um problema comum em campos de produção de tomate, especialmente quando o cultivo é realizado em ambiente protegido. Solos infestados por este patógeno podem inviabilizar a produção em estufas, sendo recomendada a fumigação periódica, visando à manutenção de um baixo nível de inóculo no solo. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito fumigante do óleo essencial de mostarda, que é composto por 90% de isotiocianato de alila (ITCA), na redução de inóculo e no controle da murcha vascular causada por Fol. Foram realizados bioensaios in vitro de crescimento micelial, formação de conídios e germinação de conídios e de clamidósporos. Para os testes, foram utilizados um isolado selvagem (Fols) e um mutante resistente ao benomil (Folm), os quais foram fumigados com ITCA, em diferentes doses, dentro de recipientes plásticos vedados, por períodos de 24 ou 48 horas. Após a fumigação, as placas contendo as culturas foram incubadas na ausência dos vapores do produto até a avaliação. Os menores valores de DE50 foram estimados para o período de 48 horas de exposição, tanto para o bioensaio de crescimento micelial como para os de germinação de conídios e de clamidósporos. Verificou-se que os conídios foram os propágulos de Fol mais sensíveis ao produto e os clamidósporos os mais resistentes. O ITCA não afetou significativamente a formação de conídios pelos isolados. Avaliou-se também a eficiência do produto na erradicação de clamidósporos de Folm no solo. Inicialmente, foi estudada a interação entre doses (0, 50, 100 e 150μL/L) e tempo de exposição (2, 4, 6 e 8 dias) ao ITCA. Solo infestado com 2000 ±200 clamidósporos/g foi transferido para erlenmeyers, que receberam a dose desejada, sendo, em seguida, hermeticamente vedados. Após exposição, a população do fungo foi determinada por meio de plaqueamento de diluições em série em meio seletivo para F. oxysporum acrescido de benomil. A partir da equação de regressão gerada, pôde-se estimar que seria necessária uma fumigação de solo com 125μL/L por períodos superiores a 5,4 dias para erradicação de Folm no solo. Para determinar o efeito de ITCA em casa de vegetação, 20L de solo infestado com 4000 ±250 clamidósporos/g foram colocados em sacos de polietileno de 30L, os quais receberam as doses de 0, 50, 100 ou 150μL/L sendo, posteriormente, vedados, permitindo a fumigação por 7 dias. Decorrido este período, o solo foi transferido para vasos de 4L, os quais receberam uma muda de tomate com 20 dias de idade. As plantas foram cultivadas por 60 dias, sendo retiradas amostras quinzenais de solo para acompanhamento da dinâmica populacional do fungo no solo. Através de análise do conteúdo de clorofila nas folhas, acompanhou-se o desenvolvimento da doença e a severidade final foi avaliada por meio de escala de notas. Foi verificado que a fumigação com 150μL/L de ITCA reduziu em mais de 95% a população de Folm no solo e que a severidade da doença aos 60 dias foi inferior a 15%.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:37:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 1080649 bytes, checksum: 0b734c22ca6fdd3994db4802005b6004 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-07-18 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The Ralstonia wilt of eucalyptus, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, is potentially one of the major disease of culture. Because of its high genetic and phenotypic variability, currently R. solanacearum is considered a "species complex", subdivided into four taxonomic levels: species, filotipo, sequevar and clone. In order to understand the variability among isolates of R. solanacearum from eucalyptus and develop a protocol for inoculation and screening of resistant clones of eucalyptus to Ralstonia wilt this work was performed. The work was divided into two articles: (i) Molecular characterization of isolates of Ralstonia solanacearum in Eucalyptus spp. and (ii) Method of inoculation and evaluation of resistant clones of Eucalyptus spp. to Ralstonia wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. In Article 1, 19 isolates were analyzed from different regions of eucalyptus in Brazil based on new classification (filotipo and sequevar) and its genetic variability. A product of 372 bp generated by multiplex-PCR amplification using primers Nmult permitted the identification of all isolates analyzed as pertaining to filotipo II. Eighteen isolates were grouped in subclade IIA and just one isolate in IIB. The phylogenetic tree generated from the endoglucanase (egl) gene sequences confirmed the classification of the isolates in filotipo II and separated them into sequevares. The strains AMC22, IBSBF2568 and IBSBF2576 were grouped into a single clade, as well as isolates UFV18 and UFV20, with 89% and 78% posterior probability, respectively, forming two new possible sequevares not defined yet. We also identified isolates belonging to sequevar 41 (100% probability) and 37 (88% probability). However, most of the isolates did not fit in any of previously described sequevar, or formed defined clades. The analysis of results of obtained fragments amplified by ERIC-PCR technique suggested a great genetic diversity among the isolates analyzed in this work. In addition, a high correlation between the geographical origin of isolates and the similarity showed by them was observed. In Article 2, three methods of inoculation and resistant of Eucalyptus spp. clones to Ralstonia wilt was evaluated: (i) soil infestation with R. solanacearum, (ii) dipping of sectioned roots in bacterial suspension, and (iii) injection of a bacterial suspension in the base of the stem. The injection method of a bacterial suspension at the stem base was the most efficient inoculation method of R. solanacearum on eucalyptus. Four, out of 21 clones tested for Ralstonia wilt resistance by this method, were classified as resistant by not showing symptoms of wilt and bacterial exudation up to 30 days after inoculation. / A murcha-de-Ralstonia do eucalipto, causada por Ralstonia solanacearum, constitui potencialmente, uma das principais doenças da cultura. Devido à sua ampla variabilidade, atualmente R. solanacearum é considerada um complexo de espécies , subdividida em quatro níveis taxonômicos: espécie, filotipo, sequevar e clone. Com o intuito de entender a variabilidade entre isolados de R. solanacearum provenientes de eucalipto e desenvolver um protocolo de inoculação e avaliação da resistência de clones de eucalipto à murcha-de-Ralstonia realizou-se este trabalho. Ele foi dividido em dois artigos: (i) Caracterização molecular de isolados de Ralstonia solanacearum de Eucalyptus spp. e (ii) Método de inoculação e avaliação de resistência de clones de Eucalyptus spp. à murcha-de-Ralstonia causada por Ralstonia solanacearum. No artigo 1, foram analisados 19 isolados de R. solanacearum obtidos de eucalipto de diferentes regiões do Brasil quanto à nova classificação (filotipo e sequevar) e quanto à variabilidade genética. Um produto de 372 pb gerado pela amplificação por PCR-multiplex, utilizando primers Nmult, permitiu identificar todos os isolados analisados no filotipo II. Dezoito isolados foram agrupados no subclado IIA e apenas um no IIB. A árvore filogenética gerada a partir das sequências do gene da endoglucanase (egl) confirmou a classificação dos isolados no filotipo II e os separou em sequevares. Os isolados AMC22, IBSBF2568 e IBSBF2576 agruparam-se em um único clado, assim como os isolados UFV18 e UFV20, com 89% e 78% de probabilidade posteriori, respectivamente, compondo dois novos possíveis sequevares, ainda não definidos. Foram identificados também isolados pertencentes ao sequevar 41 (100% de probabilidade) e 37 (88% de probabilidade). Entretanto, a maioria dos isolados não se enquadrou em nenhum sequevar descrito, nem formaram clados definidos. O resultado da análise de fragmentos amplificados pela técnica de ERIC-PCR indicou grande diversidade genética entre os isolados avaliados neste trabalho, havendo, em geral, uma alta correlação entre a origem geográfica dos isolados e a similaridade entre eles. No artigo 2, avaliaram-se três métodos de inoculação e a resistência de clones de Eucalyptus spp. à murcha-de-Ralstonia: (i) infestação do solo com R. solanacearum; (ii) imersão de raízes seccionadas em suspensão bacteriana; e (iii) injeção de suspensão bacteriana na base do caule. O método de inoculação de injeção de suspensão bacteriana na base do caule destacou-se como o mais eficiente para inoculações de R. solanacearum em eucalipto. De 21 clones avaliados quanto à resistência à murcha-de-Ralstonia por esse método, apenas quatro foram classificados como resistentes por não apresentarem sintomas de murcha e exsudação bacteriana até 30 dias após a inoculação.