The epidemiology of anthracnose disease of mango: inoculum sources, spore production and dispersal.
Fitzell R. D., Peak C. M.
Author Affiliation: ARC, Dep. Agric., Wollongbar, NSW, Australia.
Annals of Applied Biology 104 : 53-59
Abstract : The disease spreads within mango trees by water-borne conidia of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Glomerella cingulata) var. minor. Conidia were produced in lesions on leaves, defoliated branch terminals, mummified inflorescences and flower bracts. Conidia were trapped from these sources (mostly from lesions on young leaves) in the orchard during periods when the disease was developing both in flush growth and in flowers. Conidia were produced in the lab. from acervuli in leaf lesions over a wide temp. range (10-30°) under both wet and humid (95-97% RH) conditions. Conidia would be present for dispersal within the tree throughout the entire season. Large numbers of conidia were trapped during prolonged periods of rain, and when these occurred during active growth or flowering, severe outbreaks were recorded. No conidia were trapped following dews. Ascospores were not trapped while the disease was active in the orchard and do not appear to contribute to the infection cycle.