ABSTRACT
The culture of eucalyptus in the state of Paraná, Brazil, provides raw materials for the production of cellulose, coal, treated wood and lumber. Among the major fungal diseases, rust caused by Puccinia psidii can be pointed out as the most important one. Several forms to control this disease can be cited, especially the planting of resistant clones in areas of climatic conditions less favorable to the occurrence of this disease. The choice for areas of low climatic risks can be made by means of climate zoning. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a climate favorability zoning for Eucalyptus rust, in Paraná State, Brazil, based on temperature and leaf wetness duration for urediniospore germination and infection by P. psidii. These data were applied in models to produce monthly maps of the disease distribution, according to the favorability to the disease occurrence: ‘highly favorable’, ‘favorable’, ‘scarcely favorable’ and ‘unfavorable’. The generated maps were validated by means of comparison with points of natural rust occurrence in Paraná State. It was concluded that spring and summer were the seasons most favorable to the disease, whereas winter was the least favorable season. The central region of the state, in the zone of transition between the tropical climate of the North and the temperate climate of the South, is more favorable to the occurrence of rust, and the South and the North regions are less favorable for different reasons, due to the low temperature and humidity, respectively.
Keywords
Eucalyptus; Puccinia psidii; zoneamento fitossanitário
