Charcoal rot, caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, is one of the most important diseases of castor (Ricinus communis) in the growing regions of Northeastern Brazil, particularly in the State of Bahia, which concentrates 65% of the country's production. The pathogenicity and aggressiveness of the charcoal rot pathogen was assessed in twenty-seven isolates of M. phaseolina obtained from six plant species: Ricinus communis (n=21), Gossypium hirsutum (n=2), Sesamum indicum (n=1), Helianthus annuus (n=1), Jatropha gossypifolia (n=1) and Arachis hypogaea (n=1). All isolates were pathogenic and exhibited a range of aggressiveness towards BRS Energia cultivar regardless of their host of origin.
charcoal rot; sclerotial wilt; variability
