Colletotrichum dematium

Colletotrichum dematium is a species of fungus in the family Glomerellaceae. It is a plant pathogen that causes anthracnose, a disease that affects a wide range of host plants.

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1836 by the French mycologist Marie-Anne Libert. The genus Colletotrichum includes several other important plant pathogens, such as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Colletotrichum acutatum.

Description

Colletotrichum dematium produces conidia that are hyaline, cylindrical, and have rounded ends. The conidia are typically produced in acervuli, which are small, cushion-like structures that form on the surface of the host plant.

Pathogenicity

Colletotrichum dematium is a necrotrophic pathogen, meaning it kills host tissue and then feeds on the dead material. It causes anthracnose, a disease characterized by the formation of dark, sunken lesions on leaves, stems, fruits, and flowers. The disease can lead to significant yield losses in affected crops.

Management

Management of Colletotrichum dematium and the diseases it causes typically involves a combination of cultural practices, such as crop rotation and sanitation, and the use of fungicides. Resistance breeding is also an important strategy for managing diseases caused by this pathogen.

See also

• List of Colletotrichum species
• Plant pathology