Abstract

AVENDANO-GOMEZ, Aidé et al. Characterization of a fungus associated with Ceiba aesculifolia (H.B. & k:) Britten & Baker f. subsp. parvifolia (Rose) P:E. Gibbs & Semir) planta macho in Tehuacan-Cuicatlan, Mexico. Agrociencia [online]. 2008, vol.42, n.2, pp.205-215. ISSN 2521-9766.

Pochote (Ceiba aesculifolia supsp. parvifolia) is a wild tree species whose seeds are consumed and sold by communities of Valle de Tehuacán, Puebla. But these activities have decreased because a large number of trees have appeared with a proliferation of flowers and fruit rot and deformation. This condition is known as pochote macho and causes major economic losses for the population that depends on this natural resource. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the causal agent related to this syndrome and to establish the climate and management factors that determine its incidence and distribution in the region. Examination of fruit interior revealed destruction of seed by abundant reddish-brown spores of a fungus that did not produce mycelium nor spores in axenic cultures. Comparison and alignment of PCR product sequences of the ITS1-ITS2 region of the rDNA 18S gene obtained from DNA of spores isolated from pochote macho fruits with sequences available in the Genebank, showed 87 to 75% nucleotide identity with the genera Crinipellis and Moniliophthora. It is thus possible that the spores found in pochote macho fruits belong to a species of these fungi. Distribution and incidence of pochote macho was determined. This was directly related to the degree local inhabitants used it and not to the evaluated climatic factors.

Keywords : Ethnobotany; moniliasis; natural resources.