ABSTRACT
Strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne ex Rozier is a small fruit, grown throughout the world. Strawberry plants can be affected by many diseases. For example, the leaves of strawberry may be infected by powdery mildew, leaf spot caused by the fungus Sphaerella fragariae, leaf blight caused by the fungus Phomopsis obscurans, and by a variety of slime molds. Anthracnose is the term used to identify strawberry diseases caused by the fungus Colletotrichum. Anthracnose is caused by distinct species of Colletotrichum. Anthracnose fruit rot is caused by C. acutatum. Epidemics of anthracnose fruit rot caused by C. acutatum have occurred in Ohio, but the crown rot phase has been observed only a few times in the mid-1980s. Crown Rot is caused by C. gloeosporioides and C. fragariae. C. fragariae is primarily a crown rotting fungus, and C. acutatum primarily rots fruit. Thoroughly washing all soil from plants before planting will reduce disease in crowns and fruit.
