Abstract

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is one of the most important postharvest diseases in papaya. In this study, papaya fruits, Pococí hybrid, collected from orchards located in Guácimo, Limón province, showed 7 distinct anthracnose symptoms after a storage period. Colletotrichum isolates were obtained from each symptom on PDA (potato-desxtrosa-agar) medium. Isolates were classified in 3 groups based on symptoms similarities and colony morphology. Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region revealed that isolates belonged to three Colletotrichum species: C. gloeosporioides sensu lato, C. magnum and C. capsici (C. truncatum). Species identification was confirmed using taxonspecific primer for C. gloeosporioides sensu lato and species-specific primer for C. magnum. Pathogenicity tests on papaya fruits showed that all species could induce anthracnose. C. magnum and C. capsici species are registered for the first time in Costa Rica as causal anthracnose pathogens in papaya.

Keywords: Postharvest; C. magna; C. gloeosporioides species complex; pathogenicity; molecular characterization.