Variabilidade e controle de Phytophthora palmívora (podridão-do-pé) e controle da varíola (Asperisporium caricae) do mamoeiro (Carica papaya)

The papaya (Carica papaya L.) is one of the most important fruit trees worldwide. In this project two of its most common fungal diseases in Brazil were studied: root and fruit rot (Phytophthora palmivora) and black spot (Asperisporium caricae). A group of P. palmivora isolates was tested, in experiments with papaya seedlings and fruit, for there variability in terms of virulence. Most of the papaya isolalates were highly virulent. The Morremia odorata isolate was avirulent. Moreover, ten papaya genotypes were evaluated in field and greenhouse trials for resistance to P. palmivora. The cultivar “Tailândia Roxão” was moderately resistant to the disease in all trials. Also a group of phosphites was tested for P. palmivora control. Two products (phosphite 40 % P2O5 + 20 % K2O, 150 ml/100 l; and phosphite 20 % P2O5 + 20 % K2O, 200 ml/100 l) effectively slowed disease development. Similarly, ten Trichoderma sp. Isolates were evaluated in greenhouse trials as possible biocontrol agents against P. palmivora. The isolates cen162 e cen235 were the most effective. Diferentes dosages of nitrogen and dolomitic limestone were mixed to soil infested with P. palmivora and there influence on disease development was evaluated in seedling trials. The treatment with 1,02 g of nitrogen/kg of soil and 10,10 g of dolomitic limestone /kg of soil had the least disease incidence. Nine papaya genotypes were evaluated in a field trial for resistance to A. caricae. The cultivars “Tailândia Roxão” and “Sekati” were moderately resistant to the disease. Also a group of eleven phosphites was tested for A. caricae control in field and greenhouse trials. All products effectively slowed disease development.