In 2004, symptoms of root rot disease were observed in
erva-mate plantings in high areas of Region Taquari Valley, RS. With the help of EMATER, the municipal districts presenting plantings with symptoms were surveyed. In 10% of the affected plantings, root samples were collected and sent for analysis at the Plant Disease Laboratory at the Department of Plant Protection/CCR/UFSM. Five different species of at fungus
Fusarium associated with the disease were isolated and identified:
Fusarium oxysporum
,
Fusarium solani
,
Fusarium decemcellulare
,
Fusarium tabacinum
and
Fusarium tricinctum
. All species were pathogenic when inoculated in erva-mate plants (
Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.). At the moment of sampling, information about the management of the
erva-mate plantings was obtained and the similarity between the symptoms presented in
erva-mate and in agronomic crops discussed, as well as hypotheses on the origin of the inoculum of
Fusarium spp. that infected the
erva-mate plantings.
