Anthracnose: A new strawberry disease in Serbia and its control by fungicides

• Main Authors: Ivanović Mirko S., Duduk Bojan B., Ivanović Milan M., Ivanović Miroslav S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Matica srpska 2007-01-01
• Series: Zbornik Matice Srpske za Prirodne Nauke
• Subjects: anthracnose; Colletotrichum acutatum; planting material; strawberry disease
• Online Access: http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0352-4906/2007/0352-49060713071I.pdf

Anthracnose is a destructive disease of strawberry fruits in warm and continental climate. During 2004, in the vicinity of Valjevo, there were severe losses in two strawberry plantations due to fruit anthracnose. Two fungal isolates, GG-6A and GG-JUP were recovered from strawberry stolons and fruits showing severe anthracnose symptoms. Based on morphological and pathological characteristics, and PCR analyses with specific primers of reference species, isolate GG-6A was identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and GG-JUP isolate as C. acutatum. This is the first identification of C. acutatum in strawberry in Serbia. In order to control strawberry anthracnose, five fungicides and their combinations were applied four times during the flowering. The best fruit protection was achieved by fungicides Metiram + piraclostrobin (Cabrio top), Captan FL and Fludioksinil + ciprodinil (Swich). Less effective were Benomil (Benlate) and Krezoksim-metil (Stroby). Pathogen is transmitted by planting material, so phytosanitary measures are extremely important in preventing the disease.