Molecular Technology Confirms Identification of Cantaloupe Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum sp.

Document Type : Original Article

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Plant Pathology Research Institute, ARC, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

Anthracnose symptoms on cantaloupe plants were observed and collected during season of 2016 in Egypt. Because it is commonly known of its attacks on Cucurbitaceae, host range was studied. Seedling symptom test was followed for the purpose of host range study. While reactions of other non-cucurbit crops were evaluated for their susceptibility under greenhouse conditions. Host range studies resulted in infection ranged between 10 – 30%. Reaction of non-cucurbit crops proved variability in their susceptibility to current pathogen. Isolation and purification of the associated fungi were carried out and morphologically identified. The fungus was purified and morphologically identified as C. lagenarium. Since morphological characterization was sometimes misleading. PCR was implemented to confirm identification. The implemented PCR technique showed similarity of 99% and 100% of C. chlorophyti when ITS1 and ITS4 were amplified, respectively. Moreover, chemical control of this disease was evaluated. Soil drench efficiently reduced the disease incidence up to 73.9% using the fungicide Uniform 39%SE at 650cm3/fed. It could be concluded that host specificity of Colletotrihcum species was imperfect, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) along with morphological characters in identifying members of the genus Colletotrichum has become necessary and chemical treatments may be considered as a mean of controlling anthracnose in cucurbits. This finding, in addition to results of the host range, could be considered when conducting an anthracnose-resistance breeding program.

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