Diversidade espacial e prospecção de fungos fitopatogênicos para o controle biológico do cipó preto (Adenocalymma impressum)

Abstract

The black liana (Adenocalymma impressum) poses a significant challenge to comercial Eucalyptus plantations in the eastern Amazon owing to its rapid growth and resistance to conventional herbicide-based control. This study aimed to prospect and characterize phytopathogenic fungi associated with A. impressum for potential use in biological control. Fungal isolates were collected from symptomatic plants in Maranhão, Brazil, resulting in 124 isolates, of which 24 were pathogenic. Among these, Lasiodiplodia theobromae SC-35 exhibited rapid symptom development, extensive tissue colonization, and host specificity, while remaining nonpathogenic to eucalyptus clones. Environmental factors, including temperature and native forest remnants, influenced fungal diversity and aggressiveness. These findings demonstrate the potential of SC-35 as candidate for development of a sustainable and effective bioherbicide for managing black liana, highlighting the value of endemic phytopathogens in integrated forest weed management strategies.