Black spot is the major papaya foliar fungal disease, being its chemical control necessary to achieve an economic commercial production. Alternative control methods, concerning fungicides, are necessary for the sustainable production of higher quality papaya fruits. Among them, biological control lacks basic studies. This study aimed to determine the proper temperature conditions for in vitro mycelial growth and sporulation of hyperparasites fungi isolated from Asperisporium caricae in papaya, which are potential biocontrol agents. A total of 18 fungal isolates (eight from Hansfordia pulvinata and ten from Acremonium spp.) were grown on PDA medium, at 15 ºC, 20 ºC, 23 ºC, 25 ºC, 27 ºC and 30 ºC, under a 12-hour photoperiod. For H. pulvinata isolates, mild temperatures around 21 ºC result in maximum mycelial growth and sporulation. For Acremonium spp. isolates, the optimum temperature for mycelial growth and sporulation occurs at 20-25 ºC.
Carica papaya L.; Acremonium spp.; Hansfordia pulvinata
