Diversity, Prevalence, and Virulence of Colletotrichum Species Associated with Lima Bean in Brazil

Abstract

Anthracnose is one of the most important diseases of lima bean in Brazil. Previously, the disease was attributed exclusively to Colletotrichum truncatum. Therefore, this work aimed to characterize the diversity, prevalence, and virulence of Colletotrichum spp. associated with anthracnose in lima bean in Brazil. Here, we report the species C. truncatum, C. brevisporum, C. lobatum, C. plurivorum, and C. musicola in association with anthracnose of lima bean. All species were pathogenic to lima bean. In addition, several strains were found that represent novel lineages, presented here as Colletotrichum lineages 1 to 5. C. truncatum is the prevailing species and more virulent than all other species studied.