Dagma Dionísia da Silva

First report of pathogenicity of Pantoea ananatis in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in Brazil

Bacterial isolates from sorghum plants showing leaf spot symptoms were identified through molecular and phenotypic traits, showing that the isolates belong to Pantoea ananatis. Sorghum plants inoculated with those isolates showed a pathogenic reaction. The causal agent was reisolated and Koch’s postulates were fulfilled. This is the first report of P. ananatis causing leaf spots on sorghum plants in Brazil.

Utilização de multilinhas dinâmicas para o manejo da antracnose do sorgo

The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of dynamic multilines, using genetic mixing in populations of three-;way hybrids, in the management of sorghum anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum sublineolum. Eighteen three-;way hybrids were obtained from seven different lines containing genes for resistance to the disease. The 25 genotypes of hybrids and lines were evaluated in field conditions. In some hybrids, a higher resistance level was observed when compared to that of the more resistant line used in the crosses, indicating an additive effect of the resistance genes of the different lineages in the composition of the final resistance of hybrids. The use of dynamic multilines reduced the disease intensity in field and increased productivity. This strategy makes it possible to use lineages that have desirable agronomic characteristics, but are susceptible to anthracnose.

First report of Lasiodiplodia brasiliense causing maize stalk rot

Maize stalk rot can lead to major corn yield losses in Brazil and worldwide. Maize stalks exhibiting tiny black specks or light brown lesions were collected in the city of Luís Eduardo Magalhães. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular assays, the fungus was identified as Lasiodiplodia brasiliense. This is the first report of maize stalk rot caused by L. brasiliense.

ETIOLOGY AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL VARIABLES ASSOCIATED WITH MAIZE RESISTANCE TO WHITE SPOT DISEASE

SUMMARY Maize white spot disease (MWSD) has become most important in Brazil. With this study the susceptible maize hybrid DAS657 was artificially inoculated under greenhouse conditions with the bacterium Pantoea ananatis and the fungus Phaeosphaeria maydis, the two most likely candidate etiological agents of MWSD. Plants inoculated with P. ananatis reproduced the symptoms typical of MWSD, while several attempts to fulfill Koch’s postulates with P. maydis failed. The epidemiological variables associated with maize resistance to MWSD was assessed with eight simple hybrids, one double hybrid, one triple hybrid and five inbred lines evaluated in two trials in a randomized block design with three replicates in two planting times. The area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) and disease severity at the end of the epidemic (Y max ) were the epidemiological variables that better differentiated maize genotypes resistant to MWSD. One inbred line and three simple hybrids were highly resistant. Two inbred lines were identified as new sources of resistance and may be used in maize breeding programs.