Identification and pathogenic characterization of Colletotrichum fructicola causing anthracnose on Ficus binnendijkii in southern Iran

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Plant Protection, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University

Abstract

During a survey of ornamental landscape trees in Bushehr Province, southern Iran, dark-brown leaf spot symptoms were observed on Ficus binnendijkii trees, a popular cultivated ornamental species. Fungal isolates from symptomatic leaves were identified as Colletotrichum fructicola through morphological and molecular analyses of the tub2 and gapdh loci, with phylogenetic evidence confirming their close similarity to reference strains. To confirm pathogenicity, both wounded and unwounded F. binnendijkii leaves were inoculated with C. fructicola mycelial plugs and spore suspensions, and the isolated fungus was found to induce substantial necrosis, thus fulfilling Koch’s postulates. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated highly significant differences in lesion progression metrics (lesion length and width) among the different inoculation methods (P < 0.0001). Specifically, inoculation of wounded leaves with mycelial plugs resulted in more severe lesions compared to the other inoculation methods tested. This study represents the first documented global incidence of anthracnose caused by C. fructicola on F. binnendijkii. These findings highlight the need for future investigations into the epidemiology of this pathogen on other ornamental plants and the development of effective disease management strategies.

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References

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Mycologia Iranica

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 13 May 2026

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  • Receive Date: 22 February 2026
  • Revise Date: 28 April 2026
  • Accept Date: 13 May 2026
  • Publish Date: 13 May 2026

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