In Manaus Amazon, Brazil, in September 2003, spots on leaves of Heliconia psittacorum were observed that were very similar to those of black sigatoka caused by Mycosphaerella fijiensis on Musa spp. The pathogen was isolated and a pathogenicity test was done. An isolate from H. psittacorum and other from banana (Musa spp.) cv. Prata Anã were inoculated on H. psittacorum as well as on banana cv. Prata Anã. In both species the tests were positive. Microscopic observations and the results of pathogenicity tests showed that H. psittacorum is another host of M. fijiensis. This is the first report of M. fijiensis on H. psittacorum.
heliconia; pathogenicity; leaf spot
