FUSARIUM SPECIES IN SANDY SOIL FROM IPANEMA BEACH, RIO-DE-JANEIRO, BRAZIL

The presence of the genus Fusarium was investigated in sandy soil from Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil during a period of one year in order to determine the diversity, and seasonal distribution of spe cies. A total of 123 strains were isolated, for a total of 34 differen t species, with higher incidence in spring and winter. The species det ected in greater numbers during the various seasons of the year were, in decreasing order, F. solani var. solani, F. oxysporum var. oxysporu m and F. sacchari var. subglutinans, described in the literature (GUAR RO and GENE 1992) as infectious agents for humans and animals. Few spe cies were detected in summer and fall, probably due to the higher rain full occurring during these seasons.