Anthracnose

Disease

Anthracnose

Colletotrichum acutatum J.H. SimmondsColletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & Sacc. in Penz.

Distribution: Common to all fruit-growing regions in eastern North America, but most serious in warmer production regions.

Photos

Lesions start as small, circular, tan to brown spots on mature or nearly mature fruit. Lesions expand rapidly, with a tendency to form concentric rings that may or may not be sunken. Lesions are firm to the touch but typically develop orange to pink, slimy spore masses in their centers. Individual lesions may reach a diameter of 4–5 cm, but may coalesce to form more extensive areas of infection (A).

Crops Affected: cherries, grapes, peaches, plums

Management

The disease is difficult to manage when disease pressure is high. Fungicides can be used from fruit ripening through harvest the strobilurin fungicides and captan are the most effective fungicides.

Similar Species

Young lesions can be confused with brown rot infections. Evidence of sporulation is typically needed to differentiate the various fruit rots.