Characterization, Virulence, Epidemiology, and Management of Anthracnose in Celery

Leaf curling and petiole twisting of celery (Apium graveolens) were observed in several commercial fields in five Michigan counties in 2010 through 2012, causing significant crop damage and loss. Prior to this time, the pathogen Colletotrichum acutatum species complex had not been previously associated with celery in Michigan. In this study, the pathogen's genotype and phenotype were characterized, the influence of environmental conditions determined, and fungicides tested. Pathogen identification was based on conidial morphology and molecular identification using species-specific primers. Intersimple-sequence repeat (ISSR) banding patterns were similar between C. acutatum isolates from celery (n = 51) and blueberry (n = 1) but different from C. dematium and C. gloeosporioides. Four ISSR primers resulted in 4% polymorphism when tested on isolates from celery. Pathogenicity and virulence of C. acutatum sensu lato isolated from celery (n = 81), tomato (n = 2), and blueberry (n = 1) were evaluated in greenhouse experiments, which revealed differences in virulence among isolates but no significant differences specific to collection year, county, or field. In dew chambers and growth chambers, high temperatures (≥25°C) or long leaf wetness duration (>24 h) increased disease incidence. Twelve fungicides were tested in field studies over two growing seasons to determine their efficacy against celery anthracnose. The fungicides azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, mancozeb, and chlorothalonil reduced disease by 27 to 50% compared with the untreated control when disease pressure was moderate.