Work

First Report and Molecular Characterization of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Associated with Anthracnose of Olive Fruit in the Pothwar Plateau of Pakistan

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study reports the first identification of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides as the causal agent of anthracnose disease on olive fruit in Pakistan. During disease surveillance in olive orchards of Pothwar Plateau (32 ° 33 ′ and 34 ° 3 ′ N, and 71 ° 89 ′ and 73 ° 37 ′ E), anthracnose symptoms were observed in multiple farmer fields with disease incidence up to 85% and prevalence of 93%. Morphological identification, followed by molecular confirmation through ITS sequencing, identified Colletotrichum gloeosporioides as the pathogen responsible for fruit rot/anthracnose. Pathogenicity tests confirmed its ability to infect healthy olive fruits, causing typical anthracnose symptoms. This is the first documented occurrence of C. gloeosporioides on olive in Pakistan, contributing significant insights into the fungal pathogens impacting olive cultivation in the region.

Source: Integrative plant biotechnology.

DOI: 10.55627/pbiotech.003.01.1166

Authors: Syed Kamil Husnain, Farah Naz, Ramzan Anser, Azhar Mustafa, Sajid-ur-Rehman, Absar Alum

Institutions: Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Ayub Agriculture Research Institute, Arizona State University

Language: English

Topic: Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Higher Education Commission, Pakistan