Fungal Diseases in Yerba Mate: Status and Management Strategies

Abstract

Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.), with its health benefts and socioeconomic signifcance, plays a crucial role in Argentina and other South American countries like Brazil and Paraguay. Its cultivation in the Province of Misiones (Argentina) supports various sectors, contributes to regional development, and provides employment opportunities. However, the transition from extractive practices to monoculture, accompanied with increased demand, has led to phytosanitary challenges. Imbalanced native microbiota, disease development, and pathogen dispersion have become prevalent issues. Understanding the known pathogens associated with yerba mate plants is crucial for developing efective agricultural strategies. The primary objective of this study is to synthesise current knowledge on prevalent fungal diseases in yerba mate cultivation, as well as to provide agricultural management recommendations for efective disease control. Fungal diseases can cause signifcant damage to diferent parts of the plant, resulting in economic losses. The proximity of neighbouring plantations to yerba mate crops may contribute to the cross-contamination of pathogens, emphasizing the need for comprehensive epidemiology and accurate diagnosis. Multiple fungal genera have been reported to cause pathologies in yerba mate. Among the fungi causing foliar diseases are Ceratobasidium niltonsouzanum, Cylindrocladium spathulatum, Pseudocercospora mate, Asterina sphaerelloides, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides af var. yerbae, and Phyllosticta sp. Caulinary diseases are caused by Alternaria sp., Phoma sp., Colletotrichum sp., and Ceratocystis fmbriata. Regarding root rot, the genera Rhizoctonia sp., Pythium sp., Fusarium sp., and Rosellinia sp. have been reported. Proper crop management practices and monitoring are essential for efective disease control. To reduce reliance on chemical compounds, the use of biocontrol agents like Trichoderma sp. has shown promise in regulating phytopathogenic fungi populations. Continued research is vital to preserve the yerba mate industry and ensure its long-term viability while minimizing environmental impact.