Comparative pathogenicity of Colletotrichum spp. against different varieties of strawberry plants (Fragaria ananassa) widely grown in Morocco

Abstract

The evolution of anthracnose symptoms on the aerial part (leaves, stems and strawberries) of three varieties Fortuna, Camarosa and Festival of strawberry plants inoculated with the conidial suspensions of Colletotrichum acutatum and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolates was followed. The severity index and infection coefficients increased in function of time. Seven days after inoculation they were low not exceeding 13.43% and 43.33, but they increased four weeks after inoculation, respectively, to 37.96% and 99 on strawberry plants of the Camarosa variety, 54.44% and 105 on those of Fortuna and 51.12% and 85 on those of Festival. At the sixth week, the severity index and infection coefficients became very high, reaching respectively 100% and 408 on Fortuna plants inoculated with C. gloeosporioides isolate (Coll3) followed by Coll2 (89.28% – 300), Coll1 (86.66% – 378) and Coll4 (80.45% – 198) of C. acutatum species. Similarly, the isolate Coll3 caused fruit rot; the percentage of rotten strawberries was 100% on Fortuna variety, 83.33% on Festival and 70.25% on Camarosa. A positive re-isolation of the tested Colletotrichum isolates has been noted from leaves of strawberry varieties and negative from crowns or the roots. A significant to moderate reduction in fresh and dry weights of the aerial part and roots was noted in inoculated strawberry plants compared to the control.