Overwinter Survival ofColletotrichum acutatumin Infected Strawberry Fruit in Ohio

Abstract

Colletotrichum acutatum, a causal organism for anthracnose fruit rot of strawberry, was recovered from 100% of all infected strawberry fruit exposed for 18 wk in the laboratory to constant temperatures of -12 and -30 C or six cycles of fluctuating temperatures of -12 or -30 C for 2 wk followed by 5 C for 1 wk. In a 2-yr field study (1988-89, 1989-90), C. acutatum was recovered from nearly 100% of fruit located on the soil surface or 5-8 cm below the soil surface after exposure to winter conditions for 3 mo (November through January), but recovery of C. acutatum decreased with time after 3 mo (.)