Despite the occurrence of several diseases of cassava, the cassava black root rot (CBR) represents one of the main limiting factor for crop rentability in the world. However, the etiology of CBR is complex and it needs to be revised based on current molecular analysis. On this work, molecular and morphological studies allowed for the identification of three species of Botryosphaeriaceae causing black root rot disease of cassava in the states of Maranhão and Paraíba, Brazil, namely: Lasiodiplodia euphorbicola, Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae and Neoscytalidium hyalinum. This is the first report of these three fungal species as causal agents of CBR in the world.

Eucalyptus plantations cover approximately 5.1 million hectares of Brazil, an area that will likely increase given the demand for natural products from planted forests. In recent years, anthracnose diseases have been frequently found on eucalyptus in Brazilian nurseries. In 2012, rooted mini-cuttings of clones of E. urophylla x E. grandis ("urograndis") exhibiting leaf spot and stem girdling symptoms were collected from nurseries in the Brazilian states of Pará and Minas Gerais, and cultures of Colletotrichum were obtained from the lesions. The isolates were initially identified to species of the C. gloeosporioides species complex, according to searches of the Q-bank Fungi database with the DNA sequences of their internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis of the β-tubulin (TUB2) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) regions, combined with morphological characterization, allowed us to conclude that the fungus belongs to C. theobromicola. Conidial suspension sprayed on "urograndis" clone plants induced similar symptoms as those found under natural conditions. Re-isolation of the fungus from symptomatic plants fulfilled the Koch´s postulate. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. theobromicola in Brazil.

In addition to the rots that are commonly found on strawberries, a new disease was found in 7% of stored fruits during a survey of strawberry diseases at the postharvest stage. Koch's postulates were satisfied, and the fungi were identified as Neofusicoccum kwambonambiense and N. parvum based on morphology and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacers, β-tubulin, RNA polymerase subunit II and transcription elongation factor 1-α regions. This is the first report of Neofusicoccum kwambonambiense in Brazil and the first report of Neofusicoccum spp. causing mummification and postharvest rot of strawberry.

The rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is host to several fungal species, including Irenopsis heveae as described by Hansford in 1961, which causes black mildew on leaves. One specimen of Irenopsis heveae from the state of Espírito Santo and two from the state of Pará were analyzed and showed some morphological differences. Some structures are similar to morphological characteristics as described and illustrated by Vincens in 1915 for Meliola heveae. Morphological comparisons with the type specimen of I. heveae and the alignment of the nucleotide sequences of the 28S rDNA region, however, indicate that the three samples belong to the same species. According to these data M. heveae and I. heveae are heterotypic synonyms with M. heveae being the older name. As the name I. heveae is already occupied by Hansford, Irenopsis vincensii is proposed as new name for the black mildew on H. brasiliensis. This is the first contribution of molecular sequence data for this species.

Currently there is a large and increasing demand for immature coconuts for fresh consumption of their liquid endosperm (coconut water). The occurrence of post-harvest diseases prevent its sale and change the taste, making it inappropriate for consumption. In 2011, coconut fruits showing internal post-harvest rot symptoms were found in a market in Belo Horizonte and after incubation for 5 days in a humid chamber at room temperature, fungal structures were observed. Fruiting structures show morphology typical of Ceratocystis paradoxa. For molecular identification, DNA sequences were generated for the Internal Transcribed Spacer regions 1 and 2 including the 5.8S rRNA gene, part of the β-tubulin and the Transcription Elongation Factor 1-α gene regions. These data were compared with those of other C. paradoxa using phylogenetic analysis. Koch's postulates was confirmed by inoculation of 6-mm-diameter PDA plugs with the isolate on fruits of coconut. Morphology of the isolates in culture as well as phylogenetic inference showed that the causal agent of internal post-harvest rot disease on coconut is C. paradoxa.