ABSTRACT Ramularia leaf spot (RLS) is the major cotton disease in Brazil and one of the main causes of crop yield reduction. The disease causes defoliation reduces photosynthetic capacity and causes premature opening of bolls. Due to the impact of RLS on the production of Brazilian cotton and the lack of scientific publications investigating the disease, the present work aims to evaluate the efficiency of fungicides in controlling disease and their impact on yield and fiber quality. Three field experiments were carried out during the 2014/2015 and 2016/2017 seasons in Planaltina, Federal District and Cristalina, Goiás. Experiments followed a randomized complete block design (4 blocks) and treatments consisted of the application of fungicides, plus a non-treated plot. The fungicide applications began preventively and were repeated every 14 days until six sprays had been completed. Severity of RLS was assessed and used to calculate the area under disease progress curve (AUDPC). Yield and cotton fiber quality were also evaluated. All fungicides had reduced AUDPC and obtained higher cotton yields in relation to the non-treated plot. Strobilurin-group fungicides (azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin and picoxystrobin) showed low effectiveness when sprayed alone. The demethylation inhibitor fungicides (difenoconazole, epoxiconazol, tetraconazol and metconazole) were more effective than the strobilurins. The highest efficiency rates were achieved by application of pyraclostrobin + fluxapyroxad, pyraclostrobin + epoxiconazole + fluxapyroxad and fentin hydroxide. Disease severity affected cotton yield, causing losses from 14.8% to 31.7%. Resultant reductions in cotton fiber quality negatively affect the micronaire composition, altering the length, strength and uniformity of fibers. | RESUMO A mancha de ramulária (MR) é a principal doença do algodoeiro no Brasil e uma das principais causas de redução na produtividade da cultura. A doença causa desfolha, reduz a capacidade fotossintética e provoca abertura precoce de capulhos. Devido a importância da doença para o algodão e da carência de publicações nessa área, neste se avaliou a eficiência de fungicidas no controle da MR em algodoeiro e mensurou os danos causados sobre a produtividade e a qualidade da fibra. Foram conduzidos três experimentos de nas safras 2014/15 e 2016/17, em Planaltina/DF e Cristalina/GO, seguindo o delineamento de blocos casualizados e os tratamentos foram compostos pelos fungicidas, além de uma testemunha. As aplicações foram iniciadas preventivamente e repetidas a cada 14 dias (6 pulverizações). As variáveis mensuradas foram a severidade da MR, com a qual foi calculada a área abaixo da curva de progresso da MR (AACPR), a produtividade e a qualidade da fibra do algodão. Os fungicidas avaliados reduziram significativamente a AACPR em relação à testemunha e obtiveram maior produtividade de algodão em caroço. As estrobilurinas (azoxistrobina, piraclostrobina e picoxistrobina) mostraram baixa efetividade no controle da doença. Os triazóis (difenoconazol, epoxiconazol, tetraconazol e metconazol) apresentaram desempenho superior às estrobilurinas. Maior eficiência de controle foi obtida pela aplicação de piraclostrobina + fluxapiroxade, piraclostrobina + epoxiconazol + fluxapiroxade e hidróxido de fentina. A MR reduziu a produtividade do algodoeiro e induziu danos de 14,8 a 31,7%, reduzindo a qualidade da fibra, impactando negativamente o micronaire, comprimento, resistência e uniformidade da fibra.

ABSTRACT Commercial exploitation of the coffee crop is one of the most important activities in the world’s agricultural sector. One of the main phytosanitary problems affecting the crop is the presence of Meloidogyne incognita. Several measures have been tested for the management of this pathogen, albeit with low efficiency. The objective of this work was to quantify the damage and losses and to manage M. incognita race 1 with Pochonia chlamydosporia and Trichoderma harzianum biological nematicides, comparing them to a chemical nematicide. The experiment was carried out in a commercial area naturally infested by the nematode and cultivated with the conilon coffee variety ‘Vitória INCAPER 8142’, clone V02. The treatments were tested with Carbofuran nematicide and with biological nematicides composed of P. chlamydosporia Pc-10 and T. harzianum ESALQ 1306. The biological products were applied alone or in combination. The lowest NPF (final nematode population) occurred in plants treated with P. chlamydosporia and Carbofuran. P. chlamydosporia was the most effective biological agent in the management of M. incognita. There was a reduction in production with an increase in the nematode population. The highest application costs of management methods for M. incognita race 1 per hectare were for three and two applications of Carbofuran and three applications of P. chlamydosporia + T. harzianum. The treatments with lowest application costs were one application of T. harzianum and one application of P. chlamydosporia. It was concluded that all treatments were efficient for the management of M. incognita race 1, causing a decrease in the roots and soil population.