Patterns of diurnal and seasonal airborne spore concentrations of fusarium subglutinans in a pineapple orchard in Brazil

Abstract

Aerial concentrations of conidia of Fusarium subglutinans, the causal agent of the tusariose, the most serious pineapple disease in Brazil, were monitored from April 1987 to March 1988 with a Reis and Santos spore trap. Dispersal by rainwater was measured with a Waller spore trap. Aerial concentration of conidia was observed all over the evaluation period. Appreciable conidia catches started in July 1987 and continued through March 1988 with peak at the fourth week of January 1988. Air spore concentration peaked at afternoon. Maximum air spore concentrations coincided with decreasing relative humidity and increasing temperatures. Conidia catches from rainwater traps were low at all times, with a maximum of 41 conidia per milliliter recovered in September 4, 1987.