A comparison of cultural characters and pathogenicity of Colletotrichum spp. causing Colletotrichum leaf disease (CLD) of rubber in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Colletotrichum spp. are widespread fungal genus containing severe plant pathogens of economically important crops including natural rubber (Hevea brasilliensis). Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Colletotrichum acutatum have been identified as the major pathogenic species of CLD in rubber in Sri Lanka. As the causative agent has changed from time to time, comparison of morphology and pathogenicity is important to understand new pathogen population. Ten Colletotrichum cultures were isolated from symptomatic rubber leaves from Kalutara district while previously identified Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was collected from the department culture collection. Cultural characters and reproductive characters or conidia were observed after 10 days of incubation.