Anthracnose of Pomegranate Caused by Colletotrichum acutatum in Korea

Kwon, Jin Hyeuk; Nam, Myeong Hyeon; Park, Chang Seuk

Research in Plant Disease 2006;12(2):119-121.
Published online August 30, 2006.

Colletotrichum acutatum에 의한 석류나무 탄저병

권진혁, 남명현, 박창석

Anthracnose of Pomegranate Caused by Colletotrichum acutatum in Korea

Jin Hyeuk Kwon, Myeong Hyeon Nam, Chang Seuk Park

Abstract

Anthracnose of pomegranate (Punica granatum) caused by Colletotrichum acutatum was observed in the exhibition field at Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, and in farmer``s orchard at Gaheo-myon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongnam province, Korea. The pathogen generally attacks on the fruits and induces dark lesion and rotting. The infected fruits were mostly dropped or mummified. The color of colonies of the pathogenic fungus grown on potato dextrose agar was pinkish gray. Conidia were fusiform in shape and was 8~16 × 3~4 μm in size. Appressoria were pale to dark brown in color, clavate in shape and was 8~12 × 4~6 μm in size. Optimum temperature for mycelial growth was 25oC. Pathogenicity of the causal organism was proved according to Koch``s postulate. On the basis of mycological characteristics and pathogenicity test on fruit, the fungus was identified as Colletotrichum acutatum. This is the first report on the anthracnose of pomegranate caused by C. acutatum in Korea.

Key Words: Anthracnose, Colletotrichum acutatum, Pomegranate, Punica granatum