ABSTRACT Caused by the vascular fungus Ceratocystis fimbriata, mango wilt is considered to be one of the most serious threats in mango-producing regions worldwide. However, changes in leaf gas exchange level and the mechanisms underlying host responses to this fungal infection remain poorly described. This study aimed to evaluate potential changes in the leaf gas exchange of different mango cultivars (Ubá, Espada, Haden and Tommy Atkins) in response to two Brazilian isolates of C. fimbriata (CEBS15 and MSAK16) to non-invasively assess cultivar variability in relation to the basal level of resistance to mango wilt. Both isolates, regardless of the cultivar, caused reductions in stomatal conductance and, thus, a reduction in CO2 assimilation via diffusive limitations. Taking into account the full length of the internal lesion and the radial colonization of the stem tissues, both isolates showed equivalent aggressiveness when inoculated into the Haden and Tommy Atkins cultivars. Conversely, when compared to the CEBS15 isolate of C. fimbriata, the MSAK16 isolate was more aggressive in cv. Espada and less aggressive in cv. Ubá.

Brown spot (BS), caused by the fungus Bipolaris oryzae, is one of the most important diseases contracted by rice. We investigated the effect of magnesium (Mg) on the development of BS, caused by Bipolaris oryzae, and the effects of disease development on the photosynthetic performance of rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants (cv. Metica-1) grown in nutrient solutions containing 0.25 or 4.0 mM of Mg. Assessments of BS severity, leaf Mg and pigment concentrations (total chlorophylls and carotenoids), were carried out at 120 h after inoculation, in addition to gas exchange parameters,. Higher leaf concentration of Mg was observed in plants supplied with 4.0 mM Mg than in those supplied with 0.25 mM. The increase in leaf Mg was accompanied by a decrease in BS severity, higher concentration of total chlorophyll and better photosynthetic performance. Plants supplied with 4.0 mM Mg had higher average values for carbon assimilation, stomatal conductance and internal leaf CO2 concentration when compared with plants supplied with 0.25 mM Mg. Conversely, the concentration of carotenoids was lower in plants supplied with the higher Mg rate. These results suggest that Mg suppresses disease severity and preserves photosynthetic performance by allowing for better stomatal conductance and, consequently, greater availability of CO2 at the carboxylation sites.

This study investigated the effects of acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM), ethylene (ET) and jasmonic acid (JA) on the resistance of two wheat cultivars (BRS-229 and BR-18) to infection by Pyricularia oryzae. The treatments included spraying plants with ASM (300 mg L-1), ET (0.5 mM), JA (0.1 mM) and distilled water (control) 48 h before inoculation with P. oryzae. Malondialdehyde concentration, an indicative of oxidative damage to the lipids in the leaf cells, was significantly higher for plants sprayed with ASM compared to plants sprayed with JA and ET. Plants sprayed with JA and ET showed reduced values for the number of lesions per cm² of leaf area and area under blast progress curve, but these hormones had no effect on the incubation period and lesion size (in mm). Plants sprayed with JA and ET showed reduce blast symptoms in comparison to plants sprayed with ASM due to greater peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase, chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase activities.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of silicon (Si) on the resistance of tomato plants (cv. Santa Clara) to bacterial speck, caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst). Tomatoes were grown in soil without calcium silicate (control), in soil without calcium silicate and sprayed with Supa Sílica® (2 mL/L) (SS) and in soil with calcium silicate (0.16 g/kg of soil) (CS). The effect of SS on the growth of Pst was evaluated in vitro. There was no significant difference among the treatments for foliar Si concentration and incubation period. No significant differences were observed between the control and CS for the number of lesions per plant (NLP) and bacterial speck severity estimated by the software QUANT. The NLP was significantly reduced with SS spray. There was a negative linear response of in vitro Pst growth to the SS rates. Peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase and glucanase activities were significantly higher for plants sprayed with SS and grown in soil with CS compared to the control treatment. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and lypoxygenase activities were significantly higher for plants grown in soil with CS compared to the control. The concentration of malondialdehyde was significantly higher for plants sprayed with SS compared to the control at 0 and 7 dai. The results of this study indicate that the symptoms of bacterial speck are reduced when plants are sprayed with SS, which can be linked to the direct effect of this product against Pst rather than the potentation of host defense responses.

A mancha parda, causada pelo fungo Bipolaris oryzae, é uma das principais doenças da cultura do arroz. Sabe-se que o magnésio (Mg) tem o potencial de reduzir a intensidade de algumas doenças em culturas de importância econômica e, portanto, o objetivo desse trabalho foi verificar o efeito de diferentes doses desse macronutriente na resistência do arroz à mancha parda. Para isto, plantas de arroz (cv. Metica-1) foram cultivadas em solução nutritiva contendo 0,25; 0,5; 1; 2 e 4 mmol.L-1 de Mg. Foram avaliados o período de incubação (PI), o número de lesões (NL) por cm² de folha, a severidade da mancha parda e a concentração foliar de Mg. Os dados de severidade foram usados para calcular a área abaixo da curva do progresso da mancha parda (AACPMP). Outro experimento com as doses de 0,25; 2,5 e 4 mmol.L-1 de Mg foi conduzido para determinar a concentração de aldeído malônico (MDA) e a atividade da quitinase (QUI), β-1,3-glucanase (GLU), peroxidase (POX), polifenoloxidase (PFO) e fenilalanina amônia-liase (FAL) em resposta à infecção por B. oryzae. Houve efeito linear positivo e linear negativo das doses crescentes de Mg, respectivamente, na concentração foliar de Mg e na AACPMP. Houve efeito quadrático das doses crescentes de Mg no PI e no NL por cm² de área foliar. Alta concentração de MDA e maior atividade da PFO ocorreram com a dose de 4 mmol.L-1 de Mg. As atividades da QUI e da GLU não foram afetadas pelas doses de Mg. A maior atividade da POX ocorreu para as plantas supridas com as doses de 2,5 e 4 mmol.L-1 de Mg. A FAL apresentou aumento significativo em atividade às 48 e 72 horas após inoculação com a dose de 4 mmol.L-1 Mg. Os resultados desse estudo demonstram que a alta concentração foliar de Mg aumentou a resistência do arroz à infecção por B. oryzae principalmente por meio do aumento das atividades das enzimas de defesa.

Brown spot, caused by the fungus Bipolaris oryzae, is one of the most important rice diseases. It is known that magnesium (Mg) has the potential to decrease the intensity of some diseases in crops of economic importance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of different Mg rates on rice resistance to brown spot. Rice plants (cv. Metica-1) were grown in nutrient solution containing 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mmol.L-1 Mg. The incubation period (IP), the number of lesions (NL) per cm² of leaf, the brown spot severity, and the foliar concentration of Mg were evaluated. Data from severity were used to calculate the area under brown spot progress curve (AUBSPC). Another experiment with the rates of 0.25, 2.5 and 4 mmol.L-1 Mg was carried out to determined the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of chitinase (CHI), β-1,3-glucanase (GLU), peroxidase (POX), polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) in response to B. oryzae inoculation. There were linear positive and linear negative effects of the Mg rates on the foliar concentration of Mg and AUBSPC. There was quadratic effect of the Mg rates on both IP and NL per cm² of leaf area. The highest concentration of MDA and high PPO activity were obtained with the rate of 4 mmol.L-1 Mg. The activities of CHI and GLU were not affected by the Mg rates. High POX activity occurred for plants supplied with 2.5 and 4 mmol.L-1 Mg. Significant increase in PAL activity occurred at 48 and 72 hours after inoculation at the rate of 4 mmol.L-1 Mg. The results of this study demonstrated that the high foliar concentration of Mg increased rice resistance to infection by B. oryzae mainly through the increase on the activities of defense enzymes.

A brusone, causada por Pyricularia oryzae, é a doença fúngica mais importante do arroz no mundo. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o suprimento radicular e foliar de silício solúvel (Si) na resistência do arroz à brusone. A aplicação de Si solúvel para as raízes das plantas de arroz aumentou a concentração de Si nos tecidos foliares quando comparados aos de plantas cultivadas em solo suprido com silicato de cálcio. Não houve aumento na concentração foliar de Si após a aplicação de Si solúvel, independentemente de as folhas terem sido lavadas ou não antes da análise. Foi demonstrado por microanálise de raios-X que a deposição de Si foi muito semelhante na epiderme de plantas pulverizadas com Si solúvel, com raiz supridas com Si solúvel ou cultivadas em solo com silicato de cálcio. O tamanho da lesão, o número de lesões por cm² de folha e a área abaixo da curva de progresso da brusone foram reduzidos em plantas cultivadas em solos que receberam a aplicação de Si solúvel ou foram supridas com silicato de cálcio. Os resultados deste estudo demonstram que o fornecimento de Si solúvel às raízes ou a sua pulverização sobre as folhas de arroz podem diminuir os sintomas da brusone.

Blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, is the most important fungal disease of rice worldwide. This study aimed to compare root and foliar supply of soluble silicon (Si) on rice resistance to blast. The application of soluble Si to the roots increased Si concentration in leaf tissues as compare to plants grown in soil amended with calcium silicate. There was no increase in leaf Si concentration after soluble Si spray, regardless if the leaves were washed or not before analysis. X-ray microanalysis revealed that Si deposition was very similar on the leaf epidermis of plants sprayed with soluble Si, root amended with soluble Si or grown in soil amended with calcium silicate. The lesion size, the number of lesions per cm² of leaf and the area under blast progress curve were reduced for rice plants grown in soil that received the application of soluble Si or was amended with calcium silicate. The results of this study showed that the supply of soluble Si to the roots or its spray onto to the rice leaves can decrease blast symptoms.

Este trabalho objetivou associar a deposição de silício (Si) nas bainhas de plantas de arroz ao aumento da resistência física à infecção por Rhizoctonia solani. Plantas das cultivares suscetíveis BR-Irga 409 e Labelle foram cultivadas em solução nutritiva contendo (+Si) ou não (-Si) Si. A concentração de Si nas bainhas das plantas supridas com Si e inoculadas com R. solani aumentou significativamente em relação às plantas não supridas com Si reduzindo o comprimento relativo da lesão às 96 horas após inoculação (hai). Houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos -Si e +Si quanto à força necessária para uma agulha metálica atravessar as bainhas às 48 e 72 hai. A maior resistência física às 24 hai deve-se ao fato de que R. solani estava crescendo sobre o tecido sem destruí-lo, o que pôde ser comprovado pela ausência de sintomas. Após esse período, a resistência diminuiu devido ao rápido crescimento de R. solani. Entretanto, nas bainhas de plantas supridas com Si, a força necessária para a agulha penetrar foi maior às 48 e 72 hai. A resistência das bainhas de plantas supridas com Si à infecção por R. solani pode ser explicada, em parte, pela maior resistência física decorrente da deposição desse elemento.

This study aimed to associate the silicon (Si) deposition on sheaths of rice plants with an increase in physical resistance against infection by Rhizoctonia solani. Plants from the susceptible cultivars BR-Irga 409 and Labelle were grown in nutrient solution containing (+Si) or not (-Si) Si. Si concentration on sheaths of plants supplied with Si and inoculated with R. solani significantly increased compared to plants non-supplied with Si, reducing the relative lesion length at 96 hours after inoculation (hai). There were significant differences between -Si and +Si treatments for the force required of a metal needle to pass through the sheaths at 48 and 72 hai. The greater physical resistance at 24 hai was due to the fact that R. solani was growing on sheath tissue without destroying it, which could be proved by the absence of symptoms. After this period, the resistance decreased due to the rapid R. solani growth. However, on sheaths of plants supplied with Si, the force required for the needle to penetrate was higher at 48 and 72 hai. The sheath resistance of plants supplied with Si to infection by R. solani can be explained partly by the greater physical resistance due to Si deposition.

No primeiro experimento, plantas de cafeeiro com três pares de folhas foram pulverizadas com silicato de potássio (K2SiO3), epoxiconazole, acibenzolar-S-metil (ASM) e água destilada de duas maneiras: pulverização do 3º par de folhas, a partir do ápice, protegendo o 2º par de folhas ou pulverização de um par de folhas da lateral esquerda da planta e protegendo o par de folhas da lateral direita. Após 24 h, a face abaxial dos pares de folhas protegidos foi inoculada com Hemileia vastatrix. No segundo experimento, o 3º par de folhas de plantas, a partir do ápice, foi pulverizado com K2SiO3, ASM e água destilada protegendo o 2º par de folhas. Aos 1, 5, 15, 25 e 35 dias após aplicação dos produtos, a face abaxial do 2º (proteção sistêmica) e do 3º par de folhas (proteção local) de oito plantas de cada tratamento foram inoculadas com H. vastatrix. O K2SiO3 pulverizado no 3º par de folhas ou em um par de folhas da lateral esquerda foi ineficiente em aumentar a concentração de silício e reduzir a intensidade da esporulação (IE), o número total de pústulas (NTP) por folha e a severidade da ferrugem no 2º par de folhas ou no par de folhas da lateral direita, ao contrário do epoxiconazole e do ASM, os quais apresentaram sistemicidade na planta. A pulverização do K2SiO3 no 3º par de folhas também não garantiu, devido a sua natureza não sistêmica, redução da IE, do NTP e da severidade da ferrugem comparado com a proteção local. Os resultados desse trabalho apontam para a possibilidade de se utilizar a pulverização com silicato de potássio para reduzir a intensidade da ferrugem do cafeeiro preventivamente.

In the first experiment, coffee plants with three pairs of leaves were sprayed with potassium silicate (K2SiO3), epoxiconazole, acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM), and distilled water in two different ways: spraying the 3rd pair of leaves from the apex and protecting the 2nd pair of leaves or spraying the two pair of leaves on the left side of the plant and protecting the pair of leaves on the right side. After 24 h, the abaxial surface of the protected pair of leaves was inoculated with Hemileia vastatrix. In the second experiment, the 3rd pair of leaves from the apex was sprayed with K2SiO3, ASM, and distilled water and the 2nd pair of leaves was protected. At 1, 5, 15, 25, and 35 days after products application, the abaxial surface of 2nd (systemic protection) and the 3rd pair of leaves (local protection) of eight plants per treatment were inoculated with H. vastatrix. The K2SiO3 spray on the 3rd pair of leaves or on the pair of leaves on the left side was ineffective in increasing silicon concentration and also decreasing the intensity of sporulation (IE), the total number of pustules (TNP) per leaf, and rust severity on the 2nd pair of leaves or in the pair of leaves on the right side, unlike the epoxiconazole and the ASM, which exhibited systemicity in the plant. The K2SiO3 sprayed in the 3rd pair of leaves also did not guarantee, due to its non-systemic action, reduction in the IE, TNP, and rust severity compared to its local protection. The findings of this study show the possibility of using potassium silicate spray to reduce the intensity of coffee leaf rust preventively.

A ferrugem, causada por Hemileia vastatrix, é a doença mais importante do cafeeiro. Existe uma necessidade urgente de se obter métodos alternativos de controle dessa doença que sejam menos nocivos ao meio ambiente. Este estudo avaliou o efeito da aplicação foliar de soluções de silicato de potássio (SP) nas doses de 0, 8, 20, 40 e 60 g/L, em pH 5,5 e 10,5, na intensidade da esporulação (IE) de H. vastatrix, número total de pústulas (NTP) por folha e severidade da ferrugem. Avaliou-se também o efeito dessas doses de SP, do fungicida oxicloreto de cobre (7,5 g/L) e da água destilada estéril em pHs 5,5, 7,5 e 10,5 na inibição da germinação de uredósporos de H. vastatrix. A concentração foliar de silício (Si) e de potássio (K) também foi determinada. A IE, o NTP e a severidade responderam de forma quadrática e negativa às doses crescentes de SP em pH 5,5 ou 10,5. Para as doses crescentes de SP em pH 5,5 ou 10,5, a resposta da IE, do NTP e da severidade foi linear e negativa. A concentração foliar de Si respondeu de forma linear e positiva às doses crescentes de SP com pH 5,5. Não houve efeito significativo das doses crescentes de SP em pH 10,5 na concentração foliar de Si e nem das doses crescentes de SP, nos dois valores de pH, na concentração foliar de K. A inibição da germinação dos uredósporos de H. vastatrix respondeu de forma linear e positiva às doses crescentes de SP nos três valores de pH. O fungicida oxicloreto de cobre reduziu significativamente a germinação dos uredósporos em comparação com as aplicações de SP. Os resultados desse trabalho apontam para a possibilidade da pulverização de solução de SP, em pH mais alcalino, visando reduzir a intensidade da ferrugem do cafeeiro.

Leaf rust, caused by Hemileia vastatrix, is the most important coffee disease. Alternative methods of management of this disease that are less damaging to the environment than fungicide applications are urgently needed. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of foliar applications of potassium silicate (PS) solutions at concentrations of 0, 8, 20, 40, and 60 g/L, at pHs 5.5 and 10.5, on sporulation intensity of H. vastatrix (SI), total number of pustules (TNP) per leaf, and on coffee leaf rust severity. The effect of the applications of PS at the selected rates, of copper oxychloride (7.5 g/L), and of sterile distilled water at pH 5.5, 7.5, and 10.5 on the inhibition of H. vastatrix uredospores germination was also tested and the foliar concentration of silicon (Si) and potassium (K) was determined. A quadratic regression model best described the effect of PS applications, at pH 5.5 or 10.5, on SI, TNP, and severity. The relationship between SI, TNP, or severity and PS applications, at pH 5.5 or 10.5, was linear and negative. Si concentration in leaves increased as the concentration of PS solutions utilized (at pH 5.5) increased from 0 to 60 g/L. There was no effect of PS applications, at pH 10.5, on Si concentration in leaves. K concentration did not change as the PS rates increased from 0 to 60 g/L, both at pHs 5.5 and 10.5. A linear regression model adequately described the relationship of inhibition of uredospores germination versus PS concentrations at the three pHs values. Copper oxychloride significantly reduced uredospore germination as compared with the PS applications. The results from this study highlight the possibility of using PS spray, in a more alkaline pH, as a treatment for reducing coffee leaf rust intensity.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do silício (Si) no progresso da mancha marrom, causada por Bipolaris sorokiniana, na folha bandeira de plantas de trigo. Plantas das cultivares de trigo BR-18 e BRS-208 foram crescidas em vasos contendo 0 e 0,30 g Si/kg de solo e inoculadas aos 45 dias após emergência. Avaliou-se a severidade da mancha marrom às 48, 72 e 96 horas após a inoculação das plantas e os dados obtidos foram utilizados para calcular a área abaixo da curva do progresso da mancha marrom (AACPMM). Determinou-se também a concentração foliar de Si e cálcio. A concentração de Si na folha bandeira das plantas supridas com Si foi 90,5% superior do que foi obtido para as plantas não supridas com esse elemento. A severidade da mancha marrom na folha bandeira foi significativamente menor nas plantas supridas com Si em todas as épocas de avaliação. Houve redução de 58,5% na AACPMM na folha bandeira das plantas supridas com Si. Não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos -Si e +Si para a concentração foliar de cálcio. Não houve diferença entre as duas cultivares para a concentração foliar de Si e a AACPMM, mas a concentração foliar de cálcio foi maior para a cultivar BR-18 do que para a cultivar BRS-208. Houve correlação negativa (r = -0,59) entre a concentração foliar de Si e a AACPMM. Com os resultados obtidos nesse estudo, observou-se um efeito positivo do Si em aumentar a resistência da folha bandeira de plantas de trigo à infecção por B. sorokiniana e ao mesmo tempo garantir uma maior produção de grãos dada à importância fisiológica dessa folha, em particular.

This study aimed to determine the effect of silicon (Si) on the progress of spot blotch, caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana, on wheat leaf flag. Wheat plants of cultivars BR-18 and BRS-208 were grown in pots containing 0 and 0.30 g Si/kg of soil and inoculated at 45 days after emergence. Spot blotch severity was evaluated at 48, 72, and 96 hours after inoculation and data were used to calculate the area under spot blotch progress curve (AUSBPC). The Si and calcium concentrations on leaf tissue were also determined. The Si concentration on leaf flag of plants supplied with Si was 90.5% higher compared to plants non-supplied with this element. Spot blotch severity was significantly lower on leaf flags of plants supplied with Si at all evaluation times. There was a reduction of 58.5% in AUSBPC on leaf flag of plants supplied with Si. There was no significant difference between -Si and +Si treatments for calcium concentration on leaf tissue. There was no significant difference between the two cultivars for Si concentration on leaf tissue and AUSBPC, but calcium concentration on leaf tissue was higher for cultivar BR-18 than for cultivar BRS-208. The correlation between Si concentration on leaf tissue and AUSBPC was negative (r = -0.59). The results of this study showed a positive effect of Si on increasing wheat leaf flag resistance against infection by B. sorokiniana, considering the importance of this leaf in particular for a gain in yield.