Anthracnose of Tomato
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Anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.), often referred to as “ripe rot,” appears on ripening fruit as sunken, circular spots (lesions). Lesions enlarge and darken over time, and concentric patterns may be observed. Under humid conditions, salmon-pink masses of spores may exude from fungal bodies in lesions.
Anthracnose.
(Photo: USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Clemson University, Bugwood.org)
Management:
- Promptly remove and destroy diseased plant material
- Manage weeds and potential alternative hosts
- Avoid wetting fruit and leaves when irrigating
- Apply protectant fungicides at beginning of fruit set
- Rotate with non-host crops
- Promptly destroy crop residues after harvest
- Deep plow to bury residual inoculum
