Ocorrência e caracterização do complexo de espécies causadoras da mancha bacteriana do tomateiro no Alto Vale do Rio do Peixe, SC

Occurrence and characterization of the species complex causing tomato bacterial spot in “Alto Vale do Rio do Peixe”, SC, Brazil The aim of this study was to identify at the species level Xanthomonas strains causing tomato bacterial spot in the region of “Alto Vale do Rio do Peixe”, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, as well as to determine their in vitro sensitivity to copper. Species were determined by similarity analysis of genomic profiles generated by BOX-PCR and sensitivity to copper was established using the CYE medium supplemented with copper sulfate at concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 μg/mL. Of the 44 isolates, 80% were identified as X. gardneri, 11% as X. perforans and 9% as X. vesicatoria. According to the response to copper, the isolates were divided into four classes (S, sensitive; MS, moderately sensitive; MI, moderately insensitive; I, insensitive). Regarding the sensitivity to copper, 98% of all isolates were sensitive at 200 μg/mL, suggesting that the recommended dosage of copper-based products registered for the crop may still provide effective control of the different bacterial species.