Characterization of Ceratocystis fimbriata from passion fruits

Passion fruits (Passiflora edulis ) were found with symptoms of rot in the field, in the city of Tanhaçu, Bahia. After isolating the pathogen associated with this rot, in the present study we aimed to characterize the Ceratocystis isolate from passion fruit for better understanding this pathosystem. Molecular characterization was done based on the region ITS-5.8S rDNA. Pathogenic characterization was carried out for seedlings and fruits of passionflower. Passion fruit colonization was monitored by means of scanning electron microscopy techniques (SEM). DNA analysis of the Ceratocystis isolate from passionflower pointed out that this species belongs to Ceratocystis fimbriata . The inoculated passionflower seedlings showed injury at 30 days post-inoculation, but no inoculated plant showed wilt or died. Considering fruits, no differences were found for lesions caused by this fungus among cultivars, and lesions had average diameters of 1.0 and 2.2 cm at 7 and 11 days, respectively. The analysis using SEM indicated fungus spore germination and penetration in the fruit between 2 and 6 hours post-inoculation. At 12 and 24 hours post-inoculation, fruit colonization was noted both externally and internally, while fruit wall degradation started at 48 hours post-inoculation. At 90 hours post-inoculation, formation of new perithecia was observed inside and outside the fruit. This study complements the available information about the interaction of this fungus with passion fruit.