The collar rot of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa), caused by Nectria haematococca and Phytophthora spp., is one of the main problems of the passion fruit producing areas in Brazil, and is responsible for yield decrease and constant migrations of the culture. The control of the disease is basically preventive, and directed to avoiding the introduction of the pathogen in the area. The objectives of this research were: 1) to evaluate methods of inoculation of N. haematococca and the suscetibility of yellow passion fruit at different ages; 2) to evaluate "damping-off"; 3) to evaluate the behavior of different species of genera Passsiflora and different genotyps of P. edulis f. flavicarpa to the pathogen; and 4) to carry out tests of chemical control. Inoculations in the collar zone of plants provided higher levels of disease compared to inoculations in the radicular system. These results suggest that N. haematococca penetrates through wounds. Mortality was higher in younger plants and when N. haematococca and Phytophthora nicotianae were together. Among the 17 species of genus Passiflora tested for N. haematococca, P. nitida, P. laurifolia, and P. alata showed the lowest average number of lesions. The most resistant genotypes of P. edulis f. flavicarpa to N. haematococca were those from Morretes (PR), Sapucaí (SP), and the Maguari variety. Prochloraz, thiabendazole, thiram+thiabendazole, carbendazim, triflumizole, and captan controlled N. haematococca. The fungicides tested for curative treatment inhibited the development of the disease most effectvely when applied two days after inoculation when compared to seven days. Prochloraz and carbendazim were outstanding for preventing the death of plants inoculated with N. haematococca.
Passifloraceae; genetic resistance; chemical control
