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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Geneva, New York » Grape Genetics Research Unit (GGRU) » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #390760
Research Project: Grapevine Genetics, Genomics and Molecular Breeding for Disease Resistance, Abiotic Stress Tolerance, and Improved Fruit Quality

Location: Grape Genetics Research Unit (GGRU)

Title: First Report of Colletotrichum acutatum Causing Grapevine Anthracnose in New York

Author
item NIGAR, QANDEELA - Cornell University
item Cadle-Davidson, Lance
item HASSAN, MAHMOOD - University Of Arid Agriculture
item GADOURY, DAVID - Cornell University

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/18/2022
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Symptoms of anthracnose on grapevine are widely-reported on grapevine fruit and foliage. The most commonly identified fungus causing the disease is Elsinöe ampelina, but in other countries similar symptoms are caused by Colletotrichum fungi. In September 2021, a survey was conducted in three research vineyards at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, NY. Symptoms of anthracnose were observed on grape breeding lines. Leaves, berries and petioles showing symptoms of anthracnose were collected, i.e., sunken necrotic lesions with grayish centers and brownish margins. The appearance of the fungus on Petri dishes and its DNA sequence confirmed the pathogen causing these symptoms was Colletotrichum acutatum. To our knowledge this is the first report of anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum in North America, though the species has been previously associated with grapevine ripe rot.

Technical Abstract: Symptoms of anthracnose on grapevine are widely-reported on grapevine fruit and foliage. Elsinöe ampelina is the most commonly identified pathogen associated with the disease, but symptoms similar, if not identical, to those associated with E. ampelina have been sporadically attributed to various species in the genus Colletotrichum. In September 2021, a survey was conducted in three research vineyards at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, NY. Symptoms of anthracnose were observed in a 1 ha vineyard comprised of Vitis interspecific hybrid breeding lines. Leaves, berries and petioles showing symptoms of anthracnose, i.e., sunken necrotic lesions with grayish centers and brownish margins, were collected. Morphology and DNA sequence confirmed the organism associated with these symptoms was Colletotrichum acutatum sensu lato. Koch’s postulates were fulfilled, confirming that C. acutatum can cause anthracnose symptoms in New York. To our knowledge this is the first report of anthracnose caused by C. acutatum in North America, though the species has been previously associated with grapevine ripe rot.