Aggressiveness of Ceratocystis fimbriata isolates in Eucalyptus benthamii and Eucalyptus grandis

Ceratocystis fimbriata is the fungus that causes Ceratocystis wilt in tree species, a disease that covers a wide range of hosts, making it of great economic importance. Chemical control is difficult because it is a typical pathogen of the vascular system and is native to the soil. The search for resistant genotypes remains one of the few viable control strategies. The objective of this work was to study the susceptibility of species of the genus Eucalyptus to Ceratocystis fimbriata. The pathogenicity of three isolates, obtained from kiwifruit PM08, PP08 and PB01, was tested; in Eucalyptus benthamii and E. grandis seedlings. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, in a factorial scheme composed of two factors (isolated X clone), with five replications. After a period of two months for the disease to establish itself, the length of the lesion in the wood was evaluated in relation to the height of the plant. It was observed that isolates PB01 and PM08 were more aggressive towards both species.