Epidemiology and Management of Pests and Diseases

**101**

**Chapter 6**

**Abstract**

**1. Introduction**

Rubber in Brazil

*and Lilianne Gomes da Silva*

*Edson Luiz Furtado, Willian Bucker Moraes,* 

related to the epidemiology and management of leaf blight in Brazil.

epidemics to rubber tree crops in several regions of Brazil.

**Keywords:** *Microcyclus ulei*, *Hevea brasiliensis*, control, evasion, damage and losses

From 1914 to the 1970s, South American leaf blight (SALB) was considered one of the major causes of failure of commercial rubber cultivation in South America [1]. Today, management measures are available to ensure a minimum risk of

Among such measures is planting of resistant plant materials associated with evasion (choice for areas favorable to rubber cultivation and unfavorable to the pathogen). These actions have reduced injuries and losses caused by this disease and, consequently, favored large-scale production in Brazil and in other countries

This disease was described at the early twentieth century in leaves collected from native rubber trees in the surroundings of Belém, Pará State (PA); symptoms were few, not causing defoliation or other injuries to the plants since susceptible rubber

that aim at self-sufficient production of rubber, a strategic raw material.

trees grow naturally at a low density in forests, 3–4 trees per ha.

Epidemiology and Management

*Waldir Cintra de Jesus Junior, Breno Benvindo dos Anjos* 

The rubber tree (*Hevea* spp.) is one of the main forest crops in tropical regions due commercialization of natural rubber. Brazil currently imports most rubber that is consumed. According to the International Rubber Study Group, for an annual consumption of 350,000 tons in Brazil, 135,000 tons were produced, whereas 215,000 tons were imported. This failure of rubber cultivation in Brazil is primarily due to South American leaf blight (SALB), a disease caused by the fungus *Microcyclus ulei* (P. Henn. v. Arx.). The fungus is present in all Brazilian rubber-producing regions and attacks young leaflets, causing abscission and, ultimately, death of the tree. This disease occurs in almost all areas of rubber tree plantations in Central and South America. Strategies used to manage SALB are based on the use of fungicides in nurseries and young plantations and the use of resistant clones; on phenological aspects, taking into account the leaf shedding patterns of adult rubber trees, which in certain environments provide defense in addition to resistance; and on climatic factors that are favorable or unfavorable to epidemic development. The aim of this chapter was to describe all aspects

of South American Leaf Blight on

#### **Chapter 6**
