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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #395986
Research Project: Fungal Systematics and Diagnostic Resource Development for Safeguarding Plant Health

Location: Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory

Title: Colletotrichum karsti causing anthracnose on Dioscorea cayennensis in Brazil

Author
item AMARAL, ANA GABRIELE - Federal University Of Pernambuco
item DUARTE, INGRID - Federal University Of Pernambuco
item VIEIRA, WILLE - Federal University Of Pernambuco
item Castlebury, Lisa
item CAMARA, MARCOS - Federal University Of Pernambuco

Submitted to: Journal of Plant Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/16/2022
Publication Date: 1/2/2023
Citation: Amaral, A.G., Duarte, I.G., Vieira, W.A., Castlebury, L.A., Camara, M.P. 2023. Colletotrichum karsti causing anthracnose on Dioscorea cayennensis in Brazil. Journal of Plant Pathology. 105:381-382. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42161-022-01298-6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42161-022-01298-6

Interpretive Summary: Yam (Dioscorea cayennensis) production is increasing in Brazil and worldwide. Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum species is among the most important yam diseases and results in a reduction in the size of the yams. Yam plants with anthracnose symptoms were collected in the Brazilian states of Paraíba and Pernambuco. A fungus was isolated from the lesions and identified as Colletotrichum karsti based on microscopyic and molecular features. Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculation on healthy yam leaves and reisolation of the pathogen from the induced lesions. 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: Yam (Dioscorea cayennensis) production is increasing in Brazil and worldwide. In Brazil this crop is cultivated mainly by small producers in the Northeast. Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum species is among the most important yam diseases and results in a reduction in photosynthetic surface area affecting production of tubers. Yam plants with anthracnose symptoms were collected in the Brazilian states of Paraíba and Pernambuco. A fungus was isolated from the lesions and identified as Colletotrichum karsti based on phenotypical and molecular features. Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculation on healthy yam leaves and reisolation of the pathogen from the induced lesions.