Anthracnose

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Courtesy EcoPort (http://www.ecoport.org): J.A. Frowd
Is this a Minor Pest?
Yes
Minor Pest Title

Anthracnose (Colletotrichum graminicola)

Minor Pest Description

The anthracnose fungus damages foliage and stems of grain sorghum. On susceptible hybrids, the stem holding the head (peduncle) becomes infected and a brown sunken area with distinct margins develops. When infected stems are cut lengthwise with a knife, one can see that the fungus has penetrated the soft pith tissue and caused brick-red discolourations. This peduncle infection inhibits the flow of water and nutrients to the grain causing poor grain development.

 

The fungus also invades individual grains and the small branches of the panicle. Rapid and severe yield loss can result from panicle and peduncle infections. Leaf lesions are small, elliptical to circular, usually less than 0.9 cm in diameter. These spots develop small, circular, straw-coloured centres with wide margins that may vary in colour from reddish to tan to blackish purple. The spots may coalesce to form larger areas of infected tissue.

Minor Pest What to do.
  • Use resistant hybrids.
  • Rotate with non-cereals preferably with pulses.
  • Good management of crop residues.
Minor Pest Position
1
Minor Pest Firstcontent
127
Pest Type
fungal
Custom1
Common names;anthracnose, brown blight (of coffee and tea), tear stain, dieback (citrus), fruit rot, stem canker, black spot of fruit, ripe rot of pepper, anthracnose tear-stain (mango)
Host Plants
Sorghum (Revised)