Caracterización morfológica e identificación molecular de Botrytis sp. presente en una plantación de café (Coffea arabica) en el sector Shucos, cantón Loja.

Abstract

The pathogenic fungi Botrytis causes big economical losses in more than 200 crop species around the world. It is more destructive during host plant maturity and in senescent plant tissues. Up to date, the presence of Botrytis infecting coffee crops I Ecuador has not been reported. The present study was conducted in a coffee plantation in Shucos, Canton Loja. The observation of the presence of lesions in leaves and fruits were observed. Through the application of microbiological techniques, morphological analysis, the use of identification keys, and the molecular analysis of ITS1 region, the presence of Botrytis cinerea was determined. The analysis of metereological factors evidenced that the incidence of the fungus is weakly dependent on soil humidity, solar radiation, temperature, and environmental humidity. This study is the first report of Botrytis in coffee in Ecuador. Finally, a management plan for the disease caused by Botrytis is suggested to reduce its impact.