Pest & Disease Anthracnose

Anthracnose

Glomerella cingulata

What is Anhracnose (Glomerella cingulate)?

Glomerella cingulata, also known as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, is a fungal pathogen commonly associated with the disease known as " anthracnose". It can cause anthracnose in multiple crops, including mango, avocado, capsicum, coffee, eggplant, papaya, tomato, and yam. Different strains of the fungus can infect specific crops and even weeds. The fungus causes severe damage in wet weather, including flower blight, shoot dieback, leaf spots, fruit rots, and storage losses.

How does Anhracnose (Glomerella cingulate) occur?

The fungus produces many spores within the spots. These spores are spread to other leaves, flowers, and shoots when they are splashed by rain. Once they land on new surfaces, the spores germinate, infect the plant, and create more spots and blights. Young leaves are particularly vulnerable to infection. Initially, the spots are small, black, and irregular, but they often grow and merge to form extensive dead areas that eventually dry up and fall off. When the fruits reach maturity, the fungus remains a tiny infection until the fruit ripens. At that point, the infections develop into dark brown to black spots with orange-pink masses of spores.

Symptoms

1 - Impact on Plants

Anthracnose caused by Glomerella cingulata can lead to various detrimental effects on plants. The disease can cause leaf blight, defoliation, premature leaf drop, and fruit rot. Severe infections can result in reduced plant vigor, stunted growth, and diminished crop yield and quality.

2 - Health

Glomerella cingulata produces spores that can infect plant debris and fallen infected fruits on the soil surface. This can lead to soil inoculum buildup, increasing disease pressure in future growing seasons.

3 - Impact on the Environment

• Glomerella cingulata anthracnose can spread and impact the environment. Infected plant material can serve as a source of inoculum for nearby plants, affecting cultivated crops and native species. • It can disrupt natural ecosystems and compromise the health and survival of native plants.

Solutions

1 - Prevention

1. Choose resistant or tolerant plant varieties when available. 2. Remove and destroy infected plant debris to reduce the source of inoculum. 3. Avoid overwatering and minimize leaf wetness to create an unfavorable environment for the fungus. 4. Pruning: Maintain good airflow by pruning and thinning plants to promote drying and reduce humidity. 5. Implement a comprehensive IPM program, combining cultural, biological, and chemical controls to manage the disease effectively.

2 - Treatment

To manage Glomerella leaf and flower blight, regular and timely use of chemical treatments like copper oxychloride, carbendazim or mancozeb is crucial. Apply fungicides according to labeled instructions, considering the specific crop, stage of growth, and disease severity.

Susceptible Species

Flamingo Boxelder

Kelly's Gold Boxelder

Japanese Maple

River Birch

River Birch (clump)

Summer Cascade Weeping River Birch

Eddie's White Wonder Flowering Dogwood

Cherokee Brave Flowering Dogwood

Cherokee Chief Flowering Dogwood

Cherokee Daybreak Flowering Dogwood

Cherokee Princess Flowering Dogwood

Cherokee Sunset Flowering Dogwood

Red Flowering Dogwood

Cornelian Cherry Dogwood

Golden Cornelian Cherry Dogwood

Variegated Cornelian Cherry Dogwood

Leprechaun Green Ash

Patmore Green Ash

Sweet Gum

Round Leaf Sweet Gum

Silver King Sweet Gum

Slender Silhouette Sweet Gum

Worplesdon Sweet Gum

Tuliptree

Arnold Tuliptree

Yellow Variegated Tuliptree

Fastigiatum Tuliptree

Alexandrina Saucer Magnolia

Rustica Rubra Magnolia

horse chestnut

horse chestnut

snapdragon

European white birch

silver birch

false aster

false aster

false chamomile

false aster

camellia

tatarian dogwood

flowering dogwood

flowering dogwood

flowering dogwood

flowering dogwood

flowering dogwood

flowering dogwood

flowering dogwood

flowering dogwood

flowering dogwood

flowering dogwood

flowering dogwood

mountain dogwood

red twig dogwood

yellow twig dogwood

winter creeper

white ash

European ash

European ash

European ash

flowering ash

English ivy

common hop

common St. John's wort

black walnut

common privet

Chinese tulip tree

big blue lilyturf

star magnolia

spearmint

oriental plane tree

common pear

white oak

scarlet oak

pin oak

pin oak

willow oak

English oak

English oak

English oak

red oak

weeping willow

dragon's claw willow

rough goldenrod

European mountain ash

snowberry

David viburnum

Red-Flowering Currant

Vine Maple

variegated bulbous oat grass

silverleaf dogwood

Silver King euonymus

Idaho fescue

narrow-leafed ash

Transvaal daisy

Oregon grape

peppermint

London plane

Garry oak

tomato

Pink Pagoda mountain ash

piggyback plant

Pink Dawn chitalpa

FAQ

Do shade growing plants need any Sunlight?

Shade growing plants do need sunlight, although they require less than other plants. They need some direct sunlight each morning to help them photosynthesize and grow properly. Also, indirect sunlight throughout the day helps them stay healthy. Shade growing plants will benefit from the sunshine, but if they get too much or too little, then they can suffer the consequences. It's important to pay attention to the needs of your plants so that you can provide them with the proper light for optimal growth.

How often should you water indoor plants?

Indoor plants should be watered when the soil feels dry to a depth of about two inches, usually about once a week. A helpful technique to determine your plants' watering needs is to feel the soil before and after watering to get a sense of how long it takes to dry out. An important note to remember is that some plants require less water than others, and it's best to research the specific needs of your individual plants. Likewise, if your home is very dry, you might need to water more often as the lack of moisture can stress the plants and lead to problems like brown leaves and wilted stems.

Can my monstera plant get root rot?

Yes, a plant can get root rot. Root rot is a fungal disease that can be caused by over-watering, poor soil drainage, or high humidity levels in the air. Signs of root rot include yellowing leaves, wilting and stunted growth, and damaged or browning root systems. Sometimes it is difficult to detect root rot until the plant is removed from the soil, as the problems are mainly below the soil surface. Treating root rot usually involves removing the affected parts of the plant and replanting the unaffected ones.

Can I put my Monstera outside in summer?

No, you should not put your Monstera outside in summer. Monstera plants need warm, humid air to thrive, and direct sunlight can scorch their leaves. Instead, put your Monstera in a bright, sunny spot with indirect light, making sure the sun never directly hits the leaves. During the summer, keep your Monstera's soil damp and mist it occasionally to keep the leaves hydrated. At nighttime, keep the temperature around 16 - 21°C (60 - 70°F). You can definitely take your Monstera outdoors for short periods of time, just make sure to bring it back in if it starts to get too hot.

What happens if my monstera plant gets too cold?

If your monstera plant gets too cold, it will become vulnerable to pests, disease, or other damage. Cold temperatures can damage the leaves of the plant, causing them to become spotted or limp. The roots of monstera plants may also suffer in cold temperatures, leading to root rot or other diseases. Belonging to the tropical family, monsteras are used to warm environments and do not do well in cold temperatures, so it is important to ensure your plant is kept in conditions that suit their needs.

Is it possible to grow a vegetable garden in a small space?

Yes, it is possible to grow a vegetable garden in a small space. Gardening in a small space can be as simple as growing a few containerized plants in pots and raised beds, or as elaborate as vertically stacking planters, hanging pouches, and hanging baskets on a wall, railing, or fence. Regardless of the size of the space you are working with, some simple techniques such as companion planting, organic fertilizers, and water conservation can help you get the most out of your small vegetable garden.

Is peppermint herb green good for digestion?

Peppermint herb is indeed beneficial for digestion. The flavonoids in the herb support digestion by reducing inflammation in the digestive track, aiding in digestion and relieving indigestion, heartburn, and even the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, peppermint is naturally rich in menthol, which helps to relax the muscles of the stomach, aiding in the digestion of food. Peppermint herb can be consumed in a variety of forms, such as teas, tinctures and capsules, as well as by adding the herb to food or directly to water or tea.

Should peppermint herb green be consumed daily?

No, peppermint herb green should not be consumed daily. This is because it contains high levels of menthol, which can be toxic if taken in large doses. Additionally, consuming large amounts of peppermint herb green could interfere with the absorption of essential minerals and vitamins, potentially causing vitamin deficiencies. For these reasons, it is best to consult with a doctor before incorporating peppermint herb green into your daily diet.