Characterization of Colletotrichum spp. isolates associated with fruit trees in the state of São Paulo

ABSTRACT

The state of São Paulo is one of the largest fruit producers in Brazil. Competitiveness in the international trade in fruits has demanded the minimization of postharvest damage, especially that caused by anthracnose. For the effective control of anthracnose in a certain region, it is necessary to know which species are associated with each host and the variability of the causal agents. This study aimed to characterize and identify Colletotrichum isolates from fruit trees grown in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 93 isolates obtained from avocado, mango, passion fruit and peach were analyzed according to conidium and colony morphology and molecular analysis (PCR amplification with species-specific primers and analysis of nucleotide sequences of the ITS regions and β-tubulin). There was high morphometric variability among isolates. Molecular analysis indicated that, in the state of São Paulo, anthracnose of avocado, mango, passion fruit and peach can be caused by different species of the C. gloeosporoides complex, also revealing the presence of C. boninense associated with passion fruit anthracnose and unidentified species of C. acutatum and C. gloeosporioides complexes causing anthracnose in peach.

Additional key-words:
Postharvest; anthracnose; avocado; mango; passion fruit; peach