Colletotrichum fructicola, a Member of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu lato, is the Causal Agent of Anthracnose and Soft Rot in Avocado Fruits cv. “Hass”

Abstract

The filamentous Ascomycota Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu lato is a fungus that has been reported worldwide as a causal agent of anthracnose disease in avocado and other crops. In Mexico, this species affects fruits from an early stage of development in the orchard until the post-harvest stage. Although fungicides are continuously applied to control Colletotrichum species, pericarp cankers and soft rot mesocarp in fruits are still frequently observed. Considering the lack of a precise description of the causative agent, the aim of the current study was to determine the pathogens involved in this symptomatology. Twenty-four isolates were consistently obtained from the pericarp of avocado fruits cv. “Hass” collected in the central avocado-producing area of Mexico. Morphological features such as colony growth, conidia size, and mycelial appressorium were assessed. Bayesian multilocus phylogenetic analyses were performed using amplified sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA; actin, chitin synthase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase partial genes; and APn2-Mat1-2 intergenic spacer and mating type Mat1-2 partial gene from the nine selected isolates. In addition, fruits were inoculated with a conidial suspension and reproducible symptoms confirmed the presence of Colletotrichum fructicola in this area. This pathogenic species can now be added to those previously reported in the country, such as C. acutatum, C. boninense, C. godetiae, C. gloeosporioides, and C. karstii. Disease management programs to reduce the incidence of anthracnose should include C. fructicola to determine its response to fungicides that are routinely applied, considering that the appearance of new species is affecting the commercial quality of the fruits and shifting the original population structure.

Identification of Fungal Pathogens of Mango and Soursop Fruits Using Morphological and Molecular Tools and Their Control Using Papaya and Soursop Leaf and Seed Extracts

“…We also found appressories with ovoid shape in small groups (Figure 1(c) (B)), setae (Figure 1(e)) acervuli, and formation of conidiophore (Figures 1(f ) and 1(g)). e morphological characteristics coincide with those observed by Fuentes-Aragón et al [37] in avocado fruits from the central part of Mexico. On the other hand, Lima et al [38] studied five species of Colletotrichum infecting mango in Brazil.…”

“…In Brazil, the pathogen C. fructicola was also reported in mango by Viera et al [40] and also it has been reported in Asia, Africa, and America in various hosts as the cause of anthracnose [41]. Likewise, Fuentes-Aragón et al [37] confirmed that C. fructicola was previously reported as C. gloeosporioides and then it was reclassified. More than one species of Colletotrichum can affect a single plant based only on the morphology of the pathogen becomes a problem due to the high morphological similarity among species such as C. siamense and C. fructicola, species that have been closely related and morphologically similar.…”

Colletotrichum species causing anthracnose on avocado fruit in Mexico: Current status

“…PCR conditions for gapdh , ITS, act , and chs‐1 were set according to Fuentes‐Aragón et al . (2018), while for ApMat conditions were as reported by Silva et al . (2012).…”

“…gloeosporioides s . l ., C. godetiae , and C. karsti (Silva‐Rojas and Ávila‐Quezada, 2011; Hernández‐Lauzardo et al ., 2015; Velázquez‐del Valle et al ., 2016; Fuentes‐Aragón et al ., 2018). Anthracnose outbreaks occur yearly in Mexico during fruit development, mainly in places where high relative humidity and temperatures prevail.…”

First Report of Anthracnose of Shine Muscat Caused by Colletotrichum fructicola in Korea

“…It was isolated from coffee berry and described as a pathogenic fugal species by Prihastuti et al for the first time [5]. Now, it is known as the dominant and aggressive fungal species responsible for anthracnose on many crops including apple, sandy pear (Pyrus pyrifolia), strawberry, and avocado [6,7,18,19]. To the best of our knowledge, there were no report on anthracnose of Shine Muscat caused by C. fructicola in Korea, this is the first such study.…”