Detection of Colletotrichum godetiae Causing Leaf Anthracnose on Blackberry in Mexico

Abstract

Blackberry is one of the four most important commercial berries, along with raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry. Mexico is the world's leading producer of blackberries, accounting for 21.8% of the global total. In October 2023, severe symptoms of leaf anthracnose were observed in a commercial blackberry plantation in Zacatlán, Puebla, Mexico. Based on morphological features, the fungi isolated from the diseased plants were identified as members of the Colletotrichum acutatum species complex. The multilocus phylogeny (ITS, act, gapdh, his3, chs-1, and tub2) confidently classified the isolates as Colletotrichum godetiae. Artificial inoculation of healthy leaves led to symptom development after 7 days, thereby fulfilling Koch's postulates. This is the first global report of C. godetiae causing leaf anthracnose on blackberry (Rubus spp. var. Tupy). Leaf anthracnose in blackberry plantations in Puebla, Mexico, requires further studies to analyse the pathogen's diversity, its geographic distribution, and alternative hosts, all aimed at guiding surveillance efforts and developing management strategies.