Fungi associated to walnut-pecan (Carya illinoinensis) flowers and fruits.

Abstract

The present work had as objective to identify and determine the incidence of the fungi associated to the reproductive system, flowers and seeds, of walnut-pecan, as well as to test the efficiency of the seeds sterilization. This knowledge is very important for a good accomplishment of the cultural practices and fruits conservation. Flowers and seeds were collected at orchards of Santa Maria and of Anta Gorda - (RS), during the months of September 2010 to July 2011. The material was analyzed through sanity tests by the blotter-test method, comparing the incidence in the flowers of the two places, and in the seeds comparing the efficiency of the asepsis. High incidence of Alternaria sp. was observed in the feminine flowers collected in Santa Maria and Anta Gorda and in masculine flowers of Anta Gorda. High incidence of Fusarium sp. and Penicillium sp. was observed in feminine and masculine flowers of both origins. Cladosporium sp. was observedin feminine flowers of Santa Maria and masculine flowers of Anta Gorda. In the seeds (almonds) the fungi that occurred associated were: Ceplalosporium sp., Colletotrichum sp., Fusarium sp., Penicillium sp. and Verticillium sp., and no significant reduction was observed of its incidence with the accomplishment of the asepsis of the seeds, except for Ceplalosporium sp. Therefore, potential pathogenic fungi, such as Fusarium sp., Pestalotiopsis sp., Alternaria sp., Cladosporium sp. and Colletotrichum sp., were identified in flowers and in fruits of walnut-pecan representing risks to the seedlings in the case of its transmission through seed.