Mato Grosso was the Brazilian state with the largest extension in rubber tree (
Hevea brasiliensis
)
plantation, with 45,727 hectares of monoculture in 2002. The occurrence of the "South American Leaf
Blight" caused by
Microcyclus ulei
(Mycosphaerellaceae, Dothideomycetidae), considered the main disease
of the rubber tree, is a limiting factor to the implantation of new enterprises. A promising option, the
biological control, could permit the solution of this phytosanitary problem. The objective of this work was to
evaluate the potential of hyperparasite
Dicyma pulvinata
(anamorph) on
Microcyclus ulei control in
comparison with the chemical control. Experiments were conducted in the field and in a greenhouse in the
district of San José do Rio Claro (MT). Applications in 3 different concentrations of
Dicyma pulvinata
besides the active ingredients Benomyl and Mancozeb were done. In the field, the major control percentages
were obtained with the pulverization of Benomyl and of 8,1 x 10
6 or 1,215 x 10
7 conidia/ml of
Dicyma
pulvinata. In the greenhouse, the best results were obtained with the pulverization of 2,025 x 10
7 or 3,037 x
107 conidia/ml.