Two Phytophthora species, P. nicotianae and P. boehmeriae, have already been detected in Brazil as etiologic agents of black wattle gummosis. To determine this species' distribution in Brazilian black wattle plantations a survey was carried out in 23 plantations located in nine municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul state and two experimental areas located in two municipalities of Paraná state. The cultures obtained in PDA medium from samples collected during the survey were identified based mainly on cultural and morphological characters, sporangial production, shape and measurements as well as oospores formation. These characteristics can distinguish the two occurring Phytophthora species. Phytophthora nicotianae occurred in 100% of the plantations surveyed and was the predominant species. Phytophthora boehmeriae was isolated from only 10% of the samples of three municipalities - Piratini, Cristal and Cerro Grande do Sul in Rio Grande do Sul state. In Paraná state, until now, only P. nicotianae was detected. There were differences in the symptoms caused by the two Phytophthora species. Phytophthora nicotianae caused a basal gummosis, while P. boehmeriae was associated with a general tree gummosis symptom.
Gummosis; Acacia mearnsii; symptomatology; Phytophthora spp
