Histological changes in leaves caused by fungi in three species of Myrtaceae.

Abstract

Histological changes in leaves caused by fungi in three species of Myrtaceae. The family Myrtaceae is one of the largest in Argentina. In the province of Tucumán, eleven native species inhabit, three of them, Blepharocalyx salicifolius (Kunth) O. Berg, Eugenia uniflora L. and Myrcianthes pungens (O. Berg) D. Legrand have medicinal, alimentary and forestry importance. Information about fungal species and histological foliar changes produced by them is limited. So the objective of this research is to identify the species of fungi present in leaves of these three tree species; and evaluate the anatomical changes caused by the presence of them. Conventional techniques and stains were used. Twelve fungal species were identified in the three arboreal hosts studied. Ten species were cited for the first time for Argentina. Puccinia psidii and Alternaria sp. were found more frequently. The most affected leaf tissues were the palisade and spongy parenchyma. The most significant lesion was that one observed in the leaf of E. uniflora, it was produced by Microsphaerospis arundinis. Fungal identified species increases the knowledge of the diversity of fungi associated with leaves in native tree species from province of Tucuman.