New Reports of Fungi on Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King, Meliaceae) Leaves and Seeds in Brazil

Abstract

Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King, Meliaceae) is a forest species of high commercial value and is considered noble in many countries. Fungi are the main plant pathology agents, and can attack roots, leaves, flowers, fruits, woods, and seeds. Studies on diseases caused by fungi that affect S. macrophylla are incipient. There is little information about foliar diseases and pathogens that are transmitted by seeds. Because of the scarcity of this type of study in the above referenced species, this study aimed to identify and characterize the fungi found in leaves and seeds of mahogany collected in a small urban forest located in Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil, as well as to evaluate the pathogenicity of potentially pathogenic fungi. In our study, a foliar fungus, not yet reported for mahogany in Brazil, was found, Phomopsis sp. In seeds, this paper represents the first report of the occurrence of Fusarium oxysporum causing reduction in seed germination and death of mahogany seedlings. In addition, the fungi Aspergillus, Curvularia, Penicillium and Rhizopus also were found on mahogany seeds.