Colletotrichum orbiculare
anthracnose of cucurbits
Colletotrichum lagenarium, Glomerella lagenarium
Worldwide, wherever cucurbits are grown.
Widespread: AL, CA, CO, CT, FL, HI, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MN, MS, NE, NC, ND, OK, PA, SC, TX
2025-12-22
fungus
Mexico, Chile
Cucurbitaceae family. Main: watermelon, melon, cucumber, pumpkin, bitter gourd
COLLLA
Colletotrichum orbiculare is the causal agent of anthracnose on cucurbit crops, including cucumber, melon, watermelon, and squash. The pathogen primarily spreads through infected plant debris and water splash under warm, humid conditions. Seed has been cited as a possible pathway in some species and confirmed in cucumber.
Crops
Citrullus lanatus
watermelon
Uncertain
COLLLA-2, COLLLA-3, COLLLA-5, CABI CPC, COLLLA-9, COLLLA-10, COLLLA-11, COLLLA-12, COLLLA-13, COLLLA-14, COLLLA-16, COLLLA-18, COLLLA-19
Watermelon seed has been cited as a possible pathway for Colletotrichum orbiculare, primarily based on limited experimental studies using artificial inoculation or greenhouse-grown plants. While multiple references repeat this assertion, supporting data demonstrating natural seed transmission under field conditions are lacking, and disease spread is primarily associated with infected debris and splash-dispersed inoculum; therefore, seed as a pathway remains uncertain.
Yes
Blotter incubation
Though not proven to be seed borne, Blotter assays using methods described for Didymella bryoniae (gummy stem blight) are commonly used in the seed industry.
Chemical, cultural
Although not proven to be seedborne in cucurbits, a seed treatment is recommended. Use disease-free seed.
COLLLA-3, COLLLA-13, COLLLA-17
2025-12-22 20:00:15
Koike ST, Tidwell TE, Fogle DG, Patterson CL, 1991. Anthracnose of greenhouse-grown watermelon transplants caused by Colletotrichum orbiculare in California. Plant Disease, 75:644
Madaan RL, Grover RK, 1979. Chemical control of Colletotrichum lagenarium causing anthracnose and scab of bottle gourd. Indian Phytopathology, 32:210-215
Vakalounakis, DJ. 1996. In, Compendium of Cucurbit Diseases. Eds. Zitter, TA, Hopkins DL and Thomas CE. APS Press, Minniapolis, MN
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
Keinath, A. P. 2015. Identification of races of Colletotrichum orbiculare on muskmelon in South Carolina. Plant Health Prog. doi:10.1094/PHP-BR-15-0004
Monroe, J. S., Santini, J. B., and Latin, R. 1997. A model defining the relationship between temperature and leaf wetness duration, and infection of watermelon by Colletotrichum orbiculare. Plant Dis. 81:739- 742.
Wasilwa, L. A., Correll, J. C., Morelock, T. E., and McNew, R. E. 1993. Reexamination of races of the cucurbit anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum orbiculare. Phytopathology 83:1190-1198.
Wasilwa, L. A., Correll, J. C., and Morelock, T. E. 1996. Further characterization of Colletotrichum orbiculare for vegetative watermelon
Patel, T., Quesada-Ocampo, L. M., Wehner, T. C., Bhatta, B. P., Correa, E., & Malla, S. (2023). Recent Advances and Challenges in Management of Colletotrichum orbiculare, the Causal Agent of Watermelon Anthracnose. Horticulturae, 9(10), 1132.
Irieda, H.; Takano, Y. Identification and characterization of virulence-related effectors in the cucumber anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare. Physiol. Mol. Plant Pathol. 2016, 95, 87–92.
Averre, C.W. (1991). Plant Pathology Extension - Anthracnose of Cucurbits. Vegetable Disease Information Note 11. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University.
Egel, D. S. Vegetable Diseases: Anthracnose of Cucumber, Muskmelon, and Watermelon. Purdue Extension Public.: BP-180-W
Guo, Z., Luo, C.-X., Wu, H.-J., Peng, B., Kang, B.-S., Liu, L.-M., Zhang, M., & Gu, Q.-S. (2022). Colletotrichum Species Associated with Anthracnose Disease of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in China. Journal of Fungi, 8(8), 790.
EPPO (2004). Good plant protection practice. Outdoor cucurbits. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO 34:101-108
Cucumis melo
melon
Uncertain
COLLLA-2, COLLLA-3, COLLLA-5, COLLLA-9, COLLLA-11, COLLLA-15, COLLLA-16, COLLLA-18
Colletotrichum orbiculare causes anthracnose on melon. Although many extension and review texts cite seed as a possible pathway, these statements generally lack supporting experimental evidence specific to melon, and disease epidemiology is primarily associated with infected debris, soil, and splash-dispersed spores under field conditions; therefore, the role of seed as a pathway in melon remains uncertain.
Yes
Blotter Incubation
Though not seed borne, Blotter assays using methods described for Didymella bryoniae (gummy stem blight) are commonly used in the seed industry.
Chemical, cultural
Control of Colletotrichum orbiculare on melon is based on crop rotation, removal of infected plant debris, reduction of leaf wetness, and fungicide applications when conditions favor disease development.
COLLLA-3, COLLLA-17
2025-12-22 07:05:54
Koike ST, Tidwell TE, Fogle DG, Patterson CL, 1991. Anthracnose of greenhouse-grown watermelon transplants caused by Colletotrichum orbiculare in California. Plant Disease, 75:644
Madaan RL, Grover RK, 1979. Chemical control of Colletotrichum lagenarium causing anthracnose and scab of bottle gourd. Indian Phytopathology, 32:210-215
Vakalounakis, DJ. 1996. In, Compendium of Cucurbit Diseases. Eds. Zitter, TA, Hopkins DL and Thomas CE. APS Press, Minniapolis, MN
Keinath, A. P. 2015. Identification of races of Colletotrichum orbiculare on muskmelon in South Carolina. Plant Health Prog. doi:10.1094/PHP-BR-15-0004
Wasilwa, L. A., Correll, J. C., Morelock, T. E., and McNew, R. E. 1993. Reexamination of races of the cucurbit anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum orbiculare. Phytopathology 83:1190-1198.
Damm, U., Cannon, P. F., Liu, F., Barreto, R. W., Guatimosim, E., & Crous, P. W. (2013). The Colletotrichum orbiculare species complex: Important pathogens of field crops and weeds. Fungal Diversity, 61(1), 29-59.
Averre, C.W. (1991). Plant Pathology Extension - Anthracnose of Cucurbits. Vegetable Disease Information Note 11. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University.
Egel, D. S. Vegetable Diseases: Anthracnose of Cucumber, Muskmelon, and Watermelon. Purdue Extension Public.: BP-180-W
EPPO (2004). Good plant protection practice. Outdoor cucurbits. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO 34:101-108
Cucumis sativus
cucumber
Yes
COLLLA-2, COLLLA-3, COLLLA-5, COLLLA-9, COLLLA-11, COLLLA-14, COLLLA-15, COLLLA-16, COLLLA-18
Colletotrichum orbiculare causes anthracnose in cucumber. Seed is a confirmed pathway for this pathogen in cucumber; however, anthracnose is rarely encountered in commercial cucumber seed production due to widespread use of resistant varieties and effective production practices.
Yes
Blotter Incubation
Blotter assays using methods described for Didymella bryoniae (gummy stem blight) are commonly used in the seed industry. Seed borne inoculum is rarely found.
Chemical, cultural
Control of Colletotrichum orbiculare on cucumber is based on using clean seed, crop rotation, removal of infected plant debris, reduction of leaf wetness, and fungicide applications when conditions favor disease development.
COLLLA-3, COLLLA-10, COLLLA-17
2025-12-22 07:15:03
Koike ST, Tidwell TE, Fogle DG, Patterson CL, 1991. Anthracnose of greenhouse-grown watermelon transplants caused by Colletotrichum orbiculare in California. Plant Disease, 75:644
Madaan RL, Grover RK, 1979. Chemical control of Colletotrichum lagenarium causing anthracnose and scab of bottle gourd. Indian Phytopathology, 32:210-215
Vakalounakis, DJ. 1996. In, Compendium of Cucurbit Diseases. Eds. Zitter, TA, Hopkins DL and Thomas CE. APS Press, Minniapolis, MN
Keinath, A. P. 2015. Identification of races of Colletotrichum orbiculare on muskmelon in South Carolina. Plant Health Prog. doi:10.1094/PHP-BR-15-0004
Wasilwa, L. A., Correll, J. C., Morelock, T. E., and McNew, R. E. 1993. Reexamination of races of the cucurbit anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum orbiculare. Phytopathology 83:1190-1198.
Irieda, H.; Takano, Y. Identification and characterization of virulence-related effectors in the cucumber anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare. Physiol. Mol. Plant Pathol. 2016, 95, 87–92.
Damm, U., Cannon, P. F., Liu, F., Barreto, R. W., Guatimosim, E., & Crous, P. W. (2013). The Colletotrichum orbiculare species complex: Important pathogens of field crops and weeds. Fungal Diversity, 61(1), 29-59.
Averre, C.W. (1991). Plant Pathology Extension - Anthracnose of Cucurbits. Vegetable Disease Information Note 11. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University.
Egel, D. S. Vegetable Diseases: Anthracnose of Cucumber, Muskmelon, and Watermelon. Purdue Extension Public.: BP-180-W
Monroe, J. S., Santini, J. B., and Latin, R. 1997. A model defining the relationship between temperature and leaf wetness duration, and infection of watermelon by Colletotrichum orbiculare. Plant Dis. 81:739- 742.
EPPO (2004). Good plant protection practice. Outdoor cucurbits. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO 34:101-108
Cucurbita spp.
squash, pumpkin, gourd
Uncertain
COLLLA-2, COLLLA-3, COLLLA-5, COLLLA-9, COLLLA-11, COLLLA-15
Colletotrichum orbiculare causes anthracnose on Cucurbita spp., which are generally less susceptible than watermelon, cucumber, and melon. Although seed is frequently suggested as a possible pathway for this pathogen in Cucurbita species in many sources, no direct references were found to support this, and the statements are typically made without supporting data; therefore, seed as a pathway remains uncertain.
Yes
Blotter incubation
Though not seed borne, Blotter assays using methods described for Didymella bryoniae (gummy stem blight) are commonly used in the seed industry.
Chemical, cultural
Control of Colletotrichum orbiculare on Cucurbita spp. is based on crop rotation, removal of infected plant debris, reduction of leaf wetness, and fungicide applications when conditions favor disease development.
COLLLA-3, COLLLA-17
2025-12-22 07:12:04
Koike ST, Tidwell TE, Fogle DG, Patterson CL, 1991. Anthracnose of greenhouse-grown watermelon transplants caused by Colletotrichum orbiculare in California. Plant Disease, 75:644
Madaan RL, Grover RK, 1979. Chemical control of Colletotrichum lagenarium causing anthracnose and scab of bottle gourd. Indian Phytopathology, 32:210-215
Vakalounakis, DJ. 1996. In, Compendium of Cucurbit Diseases. Eds. Zitter, TA, Hopkins DL and Thomas CE. APS Press, Minniapolis, MN
Keinath, A. P. 2015. Identification of races of Colletotrichum orbiculare on muskmelon in South Carolina. Plant Health Prog. doi:10.1094/PHP-BR-15-0004
Wasilwa, L. A., Correll, J. C., Morelock, T. E., and McNew, R. E. 1993. Reexamination of races of the cucurbit anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum orbiculare. Phytopathology 83:1190-1198.
Damm, U., Cannon, P. F., Liu, F., Barreto, R. W., Guatimosim, E., & Crous, P. W. (2013). The Colletotrichum orbiculare species complex: Important pathogens of field crops and weeds. Fungal Diversity, 61(1), 29-59.
EPPO (2004). Good plant protection practice. Outdoor cucurbits. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO 34:101-108
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