Abstract

MIRA-MARTINEZ, Juan D.; BETANCUR-VALENCIA, Sara  and  URREGO-GIRALDO, Ligia E.. Relation between infection by galls and the structural variables of Rhizophora mangle L., in Gulf of Urabá (Colombia). Actu Biol [online]. 2017, vol.39, n.106, pp.41-52. ISSN 0304-3584.  https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.acbi.v39n106a04.

In recent years, several phytosanitary problems have been identified, causing deterioration of the mangrove forests of the gulf of Urabá and, consequently affecting the communities that use their products. Especially the presence of tumors in Rhizophora mangle trees was detected several years ago. In order to evaluate its relationship with the structure and anatomy of R. mangle trees, 24 circular plots of 500 m² were established, at the mouth of the Atrato river, a site with a high incidence of these tumors in mangroves, and three plots in the cove of Rionegro, where have not been registered tumors so far. Diameters and heights of trees with DBH greater than 2.5 cm were measured, and their vigor was evaluated. Most plots located at the mouth of the Atrato River, showed a higher percentage of infection (only 4 of them showed low infection percentage). In the logistic model, for any combination of DAP and vigor, the presence of galls in trees was more likely than absence, and the probability of finding an infected tree increased, as DAP increased, and its vigor was more unfavorable. The overall vigor effect was statistically significant, however, the contrasts between upper categories (2-4) did no show significant differences. The proportion of infected trees was high (> 75%) in categories greater than 10 cm of DBH, showing the high level of spread of the infection in the Atrato river delta. The diameter distributions retain the positive relationship found with the logistic model between the diameter of the trees and the presence of galls.

Keywords : mangrove ecology; phytopathology; vigor; allometry.

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