Elucidating the Colletotrichum spp. diversity responsible for papaya anthracnose in Brazil

Authors: VIEIRA, WILLIE ANDERSON - Federal University Of Pernambuco; DUARTE, INGRID - Federal University Of Pernambuco; LIMA, ATHAISE - Federal University Of Pernambuco; AMARAL, ANA GABRIELE - Federal University Of Pernambuco; DA SILVA, ANTHONY - Federal University Of Pernambuco; DOYLE, VINSON - Louisiana State University; Castlebury, Lisa; CAMARA, MARCOS - Federal University Of Pernambuco

Submitted to: Fungal Biology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/7/2022
Publication Date: 9/15/2022
Citation: Vieira, W.D., Duarte, I.G., Lima, A.F., Amaral, A.G., Da Silva, A.C., Doyle, V.P., Castlebury, L.A., Camara, M.P. 2022. Elucidating the Colletotrichum spp. diversity responsible for papaya anthracnose in Brazil. Fungal Biology. 126(9). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.funbio.2022.08.001.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.funbio.2022.08.001

Interpretive Summary: Papaya is one of the most important tropical fruits produced in Brazil and is grown in almost all regions of the country. However, several diseases can affect the papaya, among them a disease called anthracnose. This disease causes large sunken lesions on the fruit and can lead to large losses after harvest. Several species of fungi have been implicated in causing this disease making control difficult. In this study, the diversity of species causing anthracnose of papaya was investigated using DNA sequence data. Although approximately 10 species were found to be associated with this disease, two (Colletotrichum okinawense and C. truncatum) were found to be the most prevalent and virulent. This information will be used by plant pathologists, extension personnel, plant breeders and regulatory officials to more rapidly identify the pathogens involved and to manage this disease, preventing losses and tracking pathogen movements.

Technical Abstract: Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is among the most important tropical fruits produced in Brazil, grown in almost all regions of the country. However, several diseases can affect the papaya and anthracnose stands out due to the associated high yield losses that occur postharvest. Previous studies identified C. magna (invalid name) and C. gloeosporioides as the causal agents of papaya anthracnose in Brazil. The species identifications were based on the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed space (nrITS) and glutamine synthetase (GS) sequences, which do not provide enough information for accurate species determinations. Thus, the diversity of Colletotrichum spp. causing papaya anthracnose in Brazil remained uncertain. The present study aims to elucidate the diversity of Colletotrichum species associated with papaya anthracnose in Brazil based on multilocus phylogenetic analysis, as well as to determine the prevalence and virulence of the species found. Here, we report C. chrysophilum, C. fructicola, C. gloeosporioides, C. karstii, C. okinawense, C. plurivorum, C. queenslandicum, C. siamense, C. theobromicola, C. truncatum as causing papaya anthracnose in Brazil. We also synonymize C. corchorum-capsularis with C. truncatum. Colletotrichum okinawense was the most prevalent species in general and present in most sampled locations. Together with C. truncatum, they also represent the most virulent species.