Abstract One hundred fifty fungal strains were isolated from the Pampa biome for production of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Microbial oil was produced by submerged cultivation at 120 rpm, 28 ºC for 7 days. Seven strains showed the best results for lipids accumulation, and they were selected in order to evaluate the influence of the temperature (15 and 28 ºC) on the lipid production and profile. The fungus Nigrospora sp. produced the highest lipid level: at 28 ºC were produced 11.28% of lipids and 51.94% of PUFA and at 15 ºC were produced 6.02% of lipids and 42.39% of PUFA. Plackett Burman design was performed to investigate the main effects of the temperature (15-25 ºC), pH (4.0-6.0), agitation (120-200 rpm), corn steep liquor (5-15% (v/v)) and sucrose concentrations (60-180 g L-1). The highest PUFA production (55.75%) was observed at the lowest temperatures (15 ºC), whereas the maximum lipid production was 5.54% at 25 ºC.

Abstract The main pathogens that affect the foliage and floral bracts of Heliconia cultivars in Las Heliconias National Park (Caicedonia, Colombia) were identified. Random samples were taken of foliage and floral bracts presenting symptoms of damage caused by phytopathogenic fungi. The degree of damage was described qualitatively and was correlated with the phytosanitary state of the crop. Reports of the evaluated plants indicated that 75% of the pathogens resided in the foliage and 25% resided in the floral bracts. The statistical analysis determined that the microorganisms Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., and Nigrospora sp. appeared equally in the two evaluated organs. The fungal genera found associated with plant sickness symptoms were considered to be phytopathogens. The degree of infection and development of disease varied from moderate lesions to severe infection. Reproductive fungi were present in the different plant organs studied and in organic matter residue in the soil.

En la vereda San Pedrito, Municipio de Timbío, departamento del Cauca, se observó el estado fitosanitario con respecto a enfermedades fúngicas presentes en 12 especies y 3 variedades de zingiberales. Después de observar en campo las sintomatologías, se tomaron muestras del material vegetal y se cultivaron en el laboratorio, donde se logró identificar enfermedades ocasionadas principalmente por los hongos Fusarium oxysporum, Colletotrichum sp., Alternaria sp., Dipliodia sp., Pestalotia sp., Mycosphaerella musicola, Cordana musicola, Sclerotinia sp., Helminthosporium sp., Nigrospora sp., Cercospora sp., Monilia sp., Rhizoctonia sp.; también se desarrollaron diagramas estándares de severidad para evaluar el ataque causando por los patógenos, determinando el área de las hojas e inflorescencias en cm2 y severidades del 1%, 5%, 10%, 25% y 50%, que corresponden a los grados 1, 3, 5, 7 y 9; encontrando que los hongos fitopatógenos que presentaron mayor severidad (grado 9) fueron Alternaria sp. y Nigrospora sp., en la variedad H. griggsiana y la severidad más baja (grado 5) fue ocasionada por Fusarium oxysporum, afectando tanto las inflorescencias como el follaje en las variedades Strelitzia reginae y Etlingera.

In the village of San Pedrito, Municipality of Timbío, Department of Cauca, the fungal diseases present in twelve species and three varieties of Zingiberales was observed. After observing the symptomatology on the field, samples of plant material were analysed in the laboratory, where diseases caused mainly by fungi Fusarium oxysporum, Colletotrichum sp., Alternaria sp., Dipliodia sp., Pestalotia sp. Mycosphaerella musicola, Cordana musicola, Sclerotinia sp., Helminthosporium sp., Nigrospora sp., Cercospora sp., Monilia sp., Rhizoctonia sp., were identified. In adition, standard severity diagrams for assessing the attack caused by pathogens were graphicated, determining the area of leaves and inflorescences in cm2 and severities of 1%, 5%, 10%, 25% and 50%, which corresponding to grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. The fungal pathogen more severe (grade 9) were Alternaria sp.,and Nigrospora sp., in the variety H. griggsiana and a lower severity (grade 5) was caused by Fusarium oxysporum, affecting both, the inflorescence and the foliage on Etlingera and Strelitzia reginae varieties.

No povoado San Pedrito do município de Timbio no estado do Cauca, observou-se o estado fitossanitário com relação a doenças micóticas de 12 espécies e três variedades de zingiberales. Amostras vegetais foram coletadas e cultivadas no laboratório, identificando-se doenças causadas pelos seguintes fungos Fusarium oxysporum, Colletotrichum sp., Alternaria sp., Dipliodia sp., Pestalotia sp., Mycosphaerella musicola, Cordana musicola, Sclerotinia sp., Helminthosporium sp., Nigrospora sp., Cercospora sp., Monilia sp., Rhizoctonia sp. Além disso,foram desenvolvidos diagramas padronizados de severidade para determinar o ataque causado pelos patógenos, na área das folhas e inflorescências em cm2 e na porcentagem de severidade de 1%, 5%, 10%, 25% e 50%, correspondentes aos graus 1,3,5,7 e 9. Determinando-se que o maior grau de severidade (9) foi provocado pelos fungos Alternaria sp. e Nigrospora sp na variedade H. griggsiana. e a menor severidade (5) foi produzida por Fusarium oxysporum atingindo às inflorescências e folhas das variedades Strelitzia reginae e Etlingera.

Se tiene interés en determinar umbrales de inóculo de hongos patógenos en semilla de arroz para establecer el nivel permisible como semilla sana. Lotes de semilla de arroz genética, registrada y certificada var Fonaiap 1, recolectados en un campo de producción en Payara, estado Portuguesa, fueron procesados para cuantificar los niveles de inóculo de los hongos asociados y determinar su incidencia en las plantas. Se clasificaron cinco sub-lotes: semilla normal, deforme, vana, verde y manchada, encontrándose los mayores porcentajes de semilla en los sublotes normal y manchada. El mayor porcentaje de infección en semilla registrada y certificada se encontró en el sub-lote manchada. Se identificaron hongos potencialmente fitopatógenos como Bipolaris oryzae, Curvularia oryzae, Drechslera oryzae, Nigrospora sp y Fusarium spp. Manchas ovaladas con borde marrón en la semilla se relacionaron, en plantas provenientes de esa semilla, con manchas del follaje producidas por D. oryzae y Alternaria sp. Manchas marrón oscuro en semilla se relacionaron con manchas del follaje por D. oryzae, C. oryzae y Alternaria sp. Manchas irregulares marrón claro, con manchas del follaje por C. oryzae, Nigrospora sp, D. oryzae, Alternaria sp y B. oryzae. El porcentaje de incidencia en las plantas, comparado con el nivel de inóculo en la semilla certificada fue relativamente bajo, pero la correlación fue significativa. Un nivel de inóculo de D. oryzae en la semilla mayor a 0,1% y de C. oryzae mayor a 1% puede potencialmente producir infección en las plantas.

Healthy seed obtention is an important disease control measure. There is a special interest on determining inoculums thresholds of pathogens in rice seed in order to establish the more suitable permissible level for being manageable as healthy seed. Lots of rice seed variety Fonaiap 1, collected in a seed production field located in Payara, Portuguesa state, was processed to quantify the inoculums level of seed-borne fungi and to determine its incidence in plants. Five sub-lots were classified: normal, deformed, vain, green and discolored seed, being the greater percentage of seed in normal and discolored sub-lots. The greater percentage of fungi infection in registered and certified seed occurred in the discolored sub-lot. Potentially pathogens fungi were identified, as Bipolaris oryzae, Curvularia oryzae, Drechslera oryzae, Nigrospora sp. and Fusarium spp. Oval spots with brown edge on the seed were related, in plants from that seed, with foliage spots produced by D. oryzae and Alternaria sp. The higher percentage of fungi infection in registered and certified seed occurred in the discolored sub-lot. Brown dark spots in seed were related to foliage spots caused by D. oryzae, C. oryzae and Alternaria sp. Irregular brown seed spots with foliage spots by C. oryzae, Nigrospora sp, D. oryzae, Alternaria sp and B. oryzae. The incidence percentage in plants, compared with the inoculums level in certified seed was relatively low, but the correlation was significative. Inoculums levels of D. oryzae in seed greater to 0.1% and of C. oryzae greater to 1% potentially can produce plants infection.

El estado Mérida es el mayor productor de cacao en la zona occidental, aunque con rendimientos que representan el 50% del promedio mundial, debido al predominio de plantaciones viejas e improductivas que por mucho tiempo no han recibido el manejo agronómico que el cultivo requiere. Por la ausencia de manejo fitosanitario en las plantaciones se presentan diversas enfermedades que afectan el follaje, flores, frutos y raíces, y ante esta problemática se realizó la identificación de la micobiota del filoplano de las hojas del cacaotero con la finalidad de determinar la diversidad de hongos que están presentes en el follaje de este cultivo. Durante el período septiembre - noviembre del año 2002 se realizaron tres muestreos para cada una de las cinco fincas seleccionadas. Se recolectaron hojas sanas y secciones de estas hojas se colocaron durante 5-15 días en cámara húmeda en cajas de Petri con papel de filtro estéril y a temperatura ambiente promedio de 28ºC. De los análisis microscópicos de los diversos hongos aislados y con el uso de claves taxonómicas se logró identificar 48 hongos. Las especies más abundantes fueron Curvularia lunata (67-100%), Nigrospora sphaerica (53-100%) y Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (67-93%). Se confirma la presencia de los hongos Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Moniliophthora roreri y Phytophthora spp. como agentes causales de enfermedades de importancia en la zona del sur del Lago de Maracaibo y la presencia de los hongos Penicillium sp. y Gliocladium sp. con posible potencial como biocontroladores.

Merida state is the major cocoa producer in the western zone with yields that represent 50% of mean world due to the predominance of old and unproductive plantations that for a long time have not received the agricultural management that crop requires. Due to the absence of plant health management there are some diseases that affect the foliage, flowers, fruits and roots. The identification of cocoa leaves phylloplane mycobiota it was made with the purpose of establishing the fungi diversity that are present in the crop foliage. In period Sept Nov 2002 were accomplished three samplings for each of five farms selected. Healthy leaves and sections of these leaves were collected and placed by 5-15 days inside a moist chamber made with Petri dishes with sterilized filter paper and at mean temperature of 28 ºC. From the microscopically analysis of various isolated fungi and by using taxonomic keys it was possible to identify 48 fungi. The more abounding species were Curvularia lunata (67-100%), Nigrospora sphaerica (53-100%) and Colletotrichum gloesporioides (67-93%). It is confirm the Colletotrichum gloesporioides; Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Moniliophthora roreri and Phytophthora spp presence, as causal agents of important diseases in the Maracaibo Lake region, so the Penicillium sp. and Gliocladium sp fungi acting as possible bio controllers.

OBJETIVOS: Identificar e caracterizar a freqüência e a concentração de esporos de fungos anemófilos em Porto Alegre. Determinar a prevalência de sensibilização a estes fungos em indivíduos atópicos. MÉTODOS: Em 52 amostras colhidas no equipamento Rotorod Sampler®, foram quantificados 3773 esporos de fungos no período de um ano (abril de 2000 a março de 2001). Em 39 pacientes atópicos com rinite e ou asma foram realizados testes cutâneos com alérgenos de fungos anemófilos e o teste fluorimunoenzimático para verificar a incidência de manifestações alérgicas provocadas por tais fungos. RESULTADOS: Em 3773 esporos de fungos encontrados foram identificados 674 (17,86%) de Cladosporium sp, 567 (15,03%) do grupo Aspergillus/Penicillium, 144 (3,82%) de rusts, 94 (2,49%) de Helminthosporium sp, 46 (1,22%) de Botrytis sp, 45 (1,19%) de Alternaria sp, 34 (0,90%) de smuts, 33 (0,87%) de Curvularia sp, 23 (0,61%) de Nigrospora sp e 3 (0,08%) de Fusarium sp. Também foram encontrados 1905 (50,49%) de ascosporos e 145 (3,84%) de basidiosporos. Não foram possíveis de serem identificados 60 (1,59%) dos esporos observados. Nos 39 testes cutâneos e sorológicos realizados, resultaram em 15,38% de indivíduos atópicos sensibilizados por alérgenos de fungos em Porto Alegre. CONCLUSÕES: A ocorrência de grande número de esporos de fungos no ar em nossa cidade enfatiza a importância deste estudo sobre os fungos anemófilos, sendo eles responsáveis por 15,38% das sensibilizações alérgicas em indivíduos atópicos com manifestações de asma e ou rinite.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and quantify the fungal spores in the atmospheric air of Porto Alegre and to assess sensitization to these allergens in atopic individuals suffering from rhinitis and asthma. METHODS: A total of 52 samples were obtained using a Rotorod Sampler® from April 2000 through March 20001. Allergy skin tests with anemophilous fungus allergens as well as fluorimmunoenzymatic tests were performed in 39 atopic individuals with rhinitis and asthma in order to detect the incidence of respiratory allergies caused by these airborne fungi. RESULTS: In the 3773 fungal spores detected in this study, there was a prevalence of ascosporos (50.49%), Cladosporium (17.86%), Aspergillus/Penicillium (15.03%), basidiosporos (3.84%), rusts (3.82%), and Helminthosporium (2.49%), as well as a lesser frequency of Botrytis (1.22%), Alternaria (1.19%), smuts (0.90%), Curvularia (0.87%), Nigrospora (0.61%), and Fusarium (0.08%). Sixty spores (1.59%) detected here could not be identified by the systematic key used. Among the atopic individuals tested, 15.38% were found to be sensitized by these anemophilous fungi allergens. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of a great number of fungal spores emphasizes the importance of studying anemophilous fungi locally, since they are responsible for 15.38% of allergic sensitization in atopic individuals with asthma and rhinitis.