Colletotrichum coccodes

Colletotrichum coccodes is a fungal pathogen that is known to cause anthracnose and black dot disease in a variety of crops. It is a member of the Colletotrichum genus, which comprises a large number of species that cause anthracnose diseases in many important agricultural and horticultural crops.

Taxonomy

The species name coccodes is derived from the Greek word 'kokkos', which means 'berry', referring to the spherical shape of its spores. The genus Colletotrichum is classified under the Ascomycota phylum, which is the largest phylum of the kingdom Fungi.

Hosts and Symptoms

Colletotrichum coccodes has a wide host range, including tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and other members of the Solanaceae family. Symptoms of infection include dark, sunken lesions on fruits and black dot symptoms on tubers. In severe cases, the pathogen can cause significant yield losses.

Disease Cycle

The disease cycle of Colletotrichum coccodes is complex and involves several stages. The fungus overwinters in infected plant debris in the soil. In the spring, the fungus produces spores that are spread by wind or rain splash to healthy plants. The spores germinate and penetrate the plant tissue, causing infection. The fungus then produces more spores, which can spread to other plants, continuing the disease cycle.

Management

Management of Colletotrichum coccodes involves a combination of cultural practices, chemical control, and resistant varieties. Cultural practices include crop rotation, sanitation, and avoiding overhead irrigation. Chemical control involves the use of fungicides. Breeding for resistance is also an important strategy in managing this pathogen.

See Also

• Anthracnose
• Colletotrichum
• Ascomycota
• Solanaceae