Atemoya is a hybrid fruit of Annona cherimola and A. squamosa. Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum sp., is an important disease affecting atemoya, causing damage to different organs, especially fruits, both in the pre and in the post harvest. In view of this problem, the present paper aims to identify Colletotrichum species associated with anthracnose in atemoya plants by sequencing DNA from different regions of this fungus and monitoring the steps of colonization by this fungus in atemoya fruits through Scanning Electron Microscopy. After DNA extraction, the genes from the fungus DNA β-tubulina and α-elongase and the regions ITS-5.8S rDNA were sequenced. Of the 15 sequenced samples, six were identified as Colletotrichum acutatum and others were identified as C. boninense. The species C. acutatum was found only in samples obtained from leaves of atemoya. The species C. boninense had widespread occurrence and was identified in samples obtained from diseased fruits, branches and leaves. All stages of the disease occurred within 48 hours, and spore germination was observed between two and four hours after inoculation.
anthracnose; Annona; species
