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Leaf invaders

Fungi of the genus Calonectria often cause damage to ornamental plants and agricultural crops, especially trees such as eucalyptus and pine.  The infected leaves acquire spots that reduce the tree’s capacity for photosynthesis and as a result, plant growth and wood production suffer.  “The fungus can cause the loss of up to 80% of the leaves on eucalyptus trees – such a shame,” says Alexandre Fernandes, whose capstone project is the study of these organisms in Mato Grosso State.  His advisor is forestry engineer Rafael Ferreira Alfenas. The analyses would allow for the identification of a new species (photo) still in the process of description.

Image sent it by Rildo Alexandre Fernandes da Silva, a forest engineering student at the Federal University of Mato Grosso, Sinop Campus

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