Strawberry Anthracnose Disease

Anthracnose disease is one of the most destructive diseases of strawberry which caused by Colletotrichum acutatum, C. gloeosporioides and C. fragariae. C. acutatum and C. gloeosporioides species complexes possess wider host range. According to the latest multi-gene phylogenetic evaluation, different strains of the causal agent of strawberry anthracnose disease which have been collected from different regions of the world, belong to these two species and are divided into several clusters, related to cryptic species. Despite infecting various parts of the plant, C. acutatum is mostly responsible for fruit rot and in comparison with two other species, causes crown rot and is more prevalent and destructive. Dispersal of pathogen inoculums mainly takes place by rain splash and sprinkler irrigation as well as by movement of human beings and animals. Integrated management of this disease is mainly achieved through cultural, chemical, biological and the use of resistant cultivars. Giving the importance of strawberry anthracnose disease in terms of damage rate and its recent incidence in many strawberry growing areas in Iran, different aspects of the disease, including diagnosis of the causal agent, biology and efficient management methods are discussed in the present review.