Lime anthracnose

Scientific name

[Fungus] Colletotrichum acutatum J.H. Simmonds.

Lime anthracnose was originally described as Gloeosporium limetticola Clausen.

Disease cycle

The epidemiology of this disease has not been completely studied. Lime anthracnose survives year to year on dead twigs and in lesions on mature leaves. It only infects young tissues following sporespore:
a.) small, walled reproductive body produced by non-flowing plants, algae, fungi and some protozoans; usually microscopic and resistant to desiccation and heat b.) dormant, nonreproductive body formed by certain unicellular organisms, especially bacteria, in response to harsh environmental conditions
dispersal by water splash. The constant leaf flushing of key limes together with the large amount of innoculum that can be produced on these tissues, make lime anthracnose difficult to control.

Symptoms

Leaf - foliar symptoms are visible as necroticnecrotic:
a cell, group of cells, or tissue that has suffered a rapid destruction and quick death; typically localized and may be caused by injury, radiation, chemicals, toxic substances, or microbiological interactions
spots that may produce a shot-holeshot-hole:
symptom in which small diseased fragments of leaf tissue, usually dead, drop out of the lesion, leaving small holes in their place
effect if the necroticnecrotic:
a cell, group of cells, or tissue that has suffered a rapid destruction and quick death; typically localized and may be caused by injury, radiation, chemicals, toxic substances, or microbiological interactions
areas fall out. In severe infections the leaves and entire young shoots can become totally blighted and drop. In addition shoot tips may die back and leaf distortion may occur.

Fruit - infection of young fruit usually results in premature fruit drop. Late infections produce lesions that are often large and deep and accompanied by fruit distortion.

Host range

Key/ Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia) is the only known hosthost:
an organism that is infected with or fed upon by a pathogenic or parasitic organism
.

Distribution

Lime anthracnose occurs in humid regions of the Americas as well as Zanzibar (Africa).