First Report of Fusarium lacertarum Causing Damping-Off in Casuarina equisetifolia in Brazil

Casuarina equisetifolia L. belongs to the Casuarinaceae family and is widely used to stabilize dunes on waterfronts, as windbreaks in orchards, and on reclamation of degraded areas. In March of 2014, damping-off was observed in a nursery located in Santa Maria (29[degrees] 43' 21" S and 53[degrees] 43' 05" W), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, causing losses of up to 80% of the seedlings. The symptoms of the disease appeared in clusters soon after germination, with roots and stems showing necrotic spots. In addition, leaf yellowing, growth stagnation, and subsequent drying of leaves, followed by seedling death occurred. Small pieces (1 cm) of symptomatic stems and roots were surface disinfested in 70% ethanol for 30 s, 1 % sodium hypochlorite for 5 min, and then washed three times in sterile distilled water.