Colletotrichum plurivorum

The primary symptoms are necrotic spots of varying shapes and sizes, often surrounded by a dark margin. Over time, fungal fruiting structures appear as small dots in the center of the lesions.

On fruits, the disease manifests as sunken dark ulcers, which become covered with characteristic pink or orange conidial masses under high humidity. This leads to fruit rot and loss of market quality.

Stem infections can cause dieback of shoot tips and premature leaf drop. With systemic infection, the plant shows significantly stunted growth, which is noticeable during the active growing season.

On young leaves, deformation and yellowing of tissues around the infection site are common. In some cases, the pathogen causes vascular clogging, leading to rapid wilting of branches or the entire plant.

• Dark sunken spots on fruits
• Pink conidial masses in the center of lesions
• Premature leaf and fruit drop
• Stem necrosis and ulcers

Colletotrichum plurivorum is a specialized species of phytopathogenic fungi belonging to the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides complex. It acts as the causal agent of anthracnose, affecting a wide range of agricultural and ornamental crops.

The pathogen spreads primarily through conidia produced in acervuli on infected plant parts. The fungus can survive in plant debris, soil, and seeds for an extended period.

The pathogen's life cycle is closely linked to moisture, which is necessary for spore germination and mycelial penetration into host tissues. Due to its ability to exist as an endophyte, the pathogen can persist in tissues for a long time without showing symptoms.

The fungus actively secretes enzymes that degrade plant cell walls, allowing it to successfully colonize stems, leaves, fruits, and seeds. The genetic diversity of the species facilitates rapid adaptation to fungicides.

The taxonomy of this species is frequently reviewed, but in modern phytopathology, it is recognized as an aggressive pathogen causing significant crop losses in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

Disease development depends directly on meteorological conditions, particularly relative air humidity. Humidity above 85-90% at moderate temperatures is optimal for spore germination.

Rainfall facilitates the spread of conidia from plant to plant through splashing. The disease pressure increases significantly during periods of prolonged rain and foggy weather.

The temperature range from +20°C to +28°C is most favorable for active mycelial growth and sporulation. Rapid temperature fluctuations combined with high humidity often trigger outbreaks on plantations.

Densely planted crops and poor ventilation in greenhouses create an ideal microclimate for the fungus to multiply. Water accumulation in leaf axils facilitates the entry of the infection into tissues.

Poor agronomic practices, including failure to remove weeds and excessive nitrogen fertilization, make plants more susceptible to the pathogen. Weak or mechanically damaged plants are usually infected first.

Colletotrichum plurivorum causes serious economic damage by reducing both yield and the quality of agricultural products. Infected fruits become unsuitable for storage and transportation.

The disease impairs photosynthetic activity due to the loss of foliage. This significantly reduces nutrient accumulation and negatively affects fruit and seed development.

The pathogen can cause the death of seedlings in nurseries, leading to significant financial losses for producers of planting material. Total destruction of generative organs makes it impossible to obtain a marketable harvest.

Under epiphytotic conditions, the disease can destroy 50-80% of susceptible crops if timely protection measures are not taken. The fungus often carries over to storage, causing produce rot in warehouses.

Chronic infection weakens perennial crops, making them vulnerable to other environmental stressors. This shortens the productive lifespan of plantings and increases expenditures on agrochemicals.

The main control method is crop rotation and the use of resistant plant varieties. It is essential to thoroughly remove and destroy all plant debris that serves as an infection reservoir.

The use of fungicides remains a key chemical protection method. Effective products include triazoles, strobilurins, and copper-based agents, which should be applied preventively before the mass sporulation period.

Monitoring plant density and ensuring good ventilation in greenhouses is crucial. Controlling air humidity significantly reduces the likelihood of infecting healthy plant parts.

For seed protection, fungicidal seed treatment before planting is recommended. This helps prevent primary infection transmitted through seeds.

Phytosanitary monitoring of crops helps detect the first disease hotspots. Upon detection, local treatment should be conducted immediately to stop the spread of the fungus.