Fruit Anthracnose

The causative agent of this disease is the phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum fructivorum. It is a highly specialized pathogen known for causing necrotic lesions on fruits, which significantly impairs the quality and yield of various horticultural crops. It is widely recognized in plant pathology for its aggressive colonization of fruit tissue.

The host range includes various pome and stone fruits, as well as several berry-producing plants. The fungus thrives on both immature fruit and ripening harvests. It survives unfavorable conditions by overwintering on infected debris, dead twigs, and mummified fruits remaining in the orchard, ensuring recurring infections in subsequent seasons.

The visual symptoms typically appear as small, depressed, brown or necrotic spots on the fruit skin. As the disease progresses, these spots expand, and characteristic salmon-colored or orange fungal spore masses (acervuli) emerge in the center of the lesions. Infected fruits eventually shrivel, become mummified, and exhibit significant rot throughout their internal tissue.

Favorable conditions for development include prolonged periods of high humidity, frequent rainfall, and moderate temperatures, typically between +20°C and +28°C. Spores are easily disseminated by wind and splashing water, especially during thunderstorms or heavy irrigation. The pathogen enters the host primarily through wounds caused by insects or other mechanical injuries.

Effective protection and management strategies include:

• strict sanitation practices to remove all mummified fruits and dead plant material;
• improving canopy airflow through regular pruning to reduce humidity;
• application of protective and systemic fungicides during critical development stages;
• integrated pest management to prevent fruit skin damage;
• maintaining optimal plant spacing to discourage disease spread within the orchard.