Fungal pathogens of 'cat's claws' from Brazil for biocontrol of Macfadyena unguis-cati

Recent searches in Brazil for plant pathogens with potential for use as classical biocontrol agents of Macfadyena unguis-cati yielded five fungal species, two previously undescribed. These are described herein and preliminary evaluations based on field and laboratory observations of the diseases with which they are associated are given. These are: Guignardia mangiferae (leaf spots), Meliola herteri (black mildew), Passalora macfadyenae sp. nov. (leaf spots), Pseudocercospora unguis-cati (leaf spots) and Prospodium macfadyenae sp. nov. (rust). The two newly described species, Pa. macfadyenae and Pr. macfadyenae, are regarded as having the greatest potential for use in classical biological control.