Colletotrichum species associated with pre-and post-harvest diseases of avocado and mango in eastern Australia

Abstract

Colletotrichum alienum, C. asianum, C. fructicola, C. karstii and C. siamense were identified from 87 isolates previously assigned to C. gloeosporioides sensu lato from fruit of avocado (Persea americana cv. Hass) and mango (Mangifera indica cv. Kensington Pride) with post-harvest anthracnose and pre-harvest pepper spot diseases. Colletotrichum alienum, C. fructicola and C. karstii were only found amongst isolates from avocado. Colletotrichum asianum was only seen in isolates from mango, most frequently associated with both post-harvest anthracnose and pre-harvest pepper spot. Colletotrichum siamense was found amongst isolates from both hosts, although it was more commonly encountered in association with disease symptoms in avocado than in mango. This study did not identify any pathogenic or molecular features between isolates causing post-harvest anthracnose and those causing pre-harvest pepper spot symptoms.