(Colletotrichum truncatum)
Credits: Biovision-Infonet
(c) Tadashi Yorinori J. (Courtesy of EcoPort, www.ecoport.org)
The fungus causes pre-emergence and post-emergence damping off when infected seeds are planted.
The former rots the seed before emergence from the soil while post-emergence kills the seedlings after emergence.
The disease also attacks the foliage, stems and pods. Sunken, oval spots may be seen on stems; circular spots on leaves.
Lesions are reddish-brown. Under prolonged wet weather heavy defoliation occurs.
During late reproductive stages, infected tissues are covered with black fungal fruiting bodies, which produce minute black spines (setae) that can be seen with the unaided eye.
It is transmitted through infected seeds and survives in crop debris.
What to do:
- Use certified disease-free seeds.
- Use resistant varieties where available.
- Practise good field sanitation.