Initial Studies of the Response of Rubber Tree Seedlings Treated with Saprobic Fungi from the Semiarid Region of Northeast Brazil to Anthracnose.

Anthracnose, caused by fungi of the genus is present in the main areas where rubber trees () are planted. Thus, considering that biological agents can be an alternative for disease control, the present study aimed to carry out initial studies to investigate the response of rubber tree seedlings inoculated with Colletotrichum and treated with saprobes fungi from the semiarid region of Northeast Brazil (, , and ). Seedlings of the rubber tree clone RRIM600 were sprayed with biocontrol agents as preventive and curative treatments seven days before and after inoculation, respectively.

Monitoring Colonization and Reproduction in Different Rubber Tree Clones.

Anthracnose, caused by fungi of the genus , is present in the major rubber tree crop areas in Brazil, especially in São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, and northern states. This disease can affect different tissues of the rubber tree, leading to production losses. Thus, a better understanding of the pathosystem x rubber tree can provide evidence to subsequent epidemiological research and phytosanitary management studies of this disease in the field.

Structural and Biochemical Aspects Related to Resistance and Susceptibility of Rubber Tree Clones to Anthracnose.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate structural and biochemical aspects related to the interaction of resistant (RRIM 937, IAC 502 and 507) and susceptible (RRIM 600) rubber tree clones with . For such analysis, ultrathin sections of the leaf limb were embedded in historesin and differently stained to verify structural alterations and presence of starch grains, arginine, lipids, tannins and lignins. The total proteins and activity of the enzymes peroxidase and (PAL) were quantified.