Stem and branch rot of castor-oil plant caused by Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat.

Abstract

For several years, the occurrence of stem and branch rot of the Castor-oil plant has been detected in the fields of castor bean of the state of Bahia, Brazil. It was observed that the fungus Botryodiplodia sp. was frequently associated to the symptoms of this disease. It was afterward identified as Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Pat.) Griff & Maubl. (= Botryodiplodia theobromae (Pat.). Pathogenicity studies showed that the fungus B. theobromae was the etiological agent of the "rot of Botryodiplodia". This disease is characterized by the rot, dry and death of the stem and branches of Castor-oil plants with pycnidium formation of the pathogen on the infected tissue.