First Record of Colletotrichum anthrisci Causing Anthracnose on Avocado Fruits in Chile

Abstract

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum species is one of the most frequent and damaging fungal diseases affecting avocado fruits (Persea americana Mill.) worldwide. In Chile, the disease incidence has increased over the last decades due to the establishment of commercial groves in more humid areas. Since 2018, unusual symptoms of anthracnose have been observed on Hass avocado fruits, with lesions developing a white to gray sporulation. Morphological features and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses using six DNA barcodes (act, chs-1, gapdh, his3, ITS, and tub2) allowed the identification of the causal agent as Colletotrichum anthrisci, a member of the dematium species complex. Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating healthy Hass avocado fruits with representative isolates, reproducing the same symptoms initially observed, and successfully reisolating the same isolates from the margin of the necrotic pulp. Previously, several Colletotrichum species belonging to other species complexes have been associated with avocado anthracnose in other countries. To our knowledge, this is the first record of C. anthrisci and of a species of the dematium species complex causing anthracnose on avocado fruits in Chile and worldwide.

Pest categorisation of Colletotrichum aenigma, C. alienum, C. perseae, C. siamense and C. theobromicola

“…In Chile, anthracnose has increased during the last decades along with the establishment of new avocado orchards in humid areas. A survey carried out by Bustamante et al (2020) in four commercial orchards located in the regions of Valparaiso, Metropolitana and O'Higgins (Chile) revealed that C. perseae and nine more Colletotrichum species belonging to four different Colletotrichum species complexes were associated with avocado anthracnose.…”

Morphomolecular identification and pathogenicity of Colletotrichum species associated with avocado anthracnose in northern Thailand

“…Avocado trees are attacked by various fungal pathogens that cause serious damage to roots, leaves, fruits, branches and trunks (Fuentes‐Aragón et al, 2020; Guarnaccia et al, 2019). Anthracnose is a destructive disease that affects avocados worldwide, occurring in the orchard, and the symptoms appear after fruit ripening (Bustamante et al, 2022). The causal agents of avocado anthracnose are Colletotrichum species (Cannon et al, 2012).…”

“…Species of this genus are widely known as pathogens of economically important crops worldwide (Cannon et al, 2012; Jayawardena et al, 2016); however, these species can also occur as endophytes and saprobes in nature (Damm et al, 2009; Hyde et al, 2009; Manamgoda et al, 2013). To date, 20 species of Colletotrichum have been reported from avocado, belonging to five different species complexes: gloeosporioides, acutatum, boninense, gigasporum and magnum (Bustamante et al, 2022; Cannon et al, 2012; Hofer et al, 2021).…”

“…Understanding the diversity of Colletotrichum species associated with a specific host is crucial for the implementation of efficient management strategies, as different species have different abilities to adapt to their environment (Chen et al, 2018; Fuentes‐Aragón et al, 2020). Several studies have been conducted to identify Colletotrichum species associated with avocado in different countries, including Australia (Giblin et al, 2018), Brazil (Soares et al, 2021), Chile (Bustamante et al, 2022), China (Li et al, 2022), Taiwan (Wu et al, 2023), Italy (Guarnaccia et al, 2016), Mexico (Ayvar‐Serna et al, 2021; Fuentes‐Aragón et al, 2020), New Zealand (Hofer et al, 2021) and Sri Lanka (Dissanayake et al, 2021; Hunupolagama et al, 2015). However, a comprehensive study investigating the diversity, phylogeny and pathogenicity of Colletotrichum species associated with avocado in Thailand is lacking.…”

“…occurring in the orchard, and the symptoms appear after fruit ripening (Bustamante et al, 2022). The causal agents of avocado anthracnose are Colletotrichum species (Cannon et al, 2012).…”