ABSTRACT Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum horii is one of the most important diseases in the persimmon tree. This study aimed to determine the influence of environmental variables on conidia germination, mycelial growth, and infection in persimmon fruit and shoots/twigs. The germination was quantified at 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30°C, with 6, 12, and 24 hours of wetness period. The effects of the same temperatures were also evaluated for mycelial growth, sporulation, and infection on ‘Fuyu’ fruit. The infection on shoots/twigs were quantified at 5, 10, 15, 22, 25, 27, and 35°C. The conidia germinated at all temperatures and wetness combinations, except at 10°C, with 6 hours of wetness. At 24 hours of wetness, the optimal temperature for conidia germination was 21.3°C. The optimal temperature for mycelial growth ranged between 21.7 to 24.3°C. The optimal temperature for lesion growth on fruit was 25.7°C; at 25°C, the incubation period was of two days, and the latent period lasted 12 days. On shoots/twigs, the temperature of 35°C anticipated in two days the onset of symptoms and 5-10°C delayed in eight-10 days the onset of symptoms in relation to temperature of 25°C. In nonlignified shoots, C. horii can cause symptoms from 15 to 35°C. In lignified twigs, C. horii was able to cause symptoms from 5 to 35°C. Because of the incidence and disease progression in most of climatic situations, our results reinforce the importance of monitoring and constantly removing diseased shoots, twigs, and fruits from the orchard to reduce the spread of the pathogen.

Durante as safras de 2007 a 2009, foram observados sintomas de cancro em ramos e galhos de plantas de caquizeiro (Diospyros kaki L.) cv. Fuyu, nos Estados de Santa Catarina e do Paraná, no Sul do Brasil. Os cancros resultavam em danos severos e comprometiam a produção. Após o isolamento da margem dos cancros, detectou-se o gênero Pestalotiopsis em todas as amostras. Os postulados de Koch foram confirmados, utilizando-se dois isolados do patógeno, o qual foi identificado como Pestalotiopsis diospyri.

During 2006 to 2009 season symptoms of a canker disease were observed on twigs and branches of young and mature persimmon trees (Diospyros kaki L.) cv. Fuyu in the States of Santa Catarina and Paraná in the Southern Brazil. The cankers result in severe damage and reduced production. Isolations from the margins of these cankers revealed a genus of Pestalotiopsis. Koch's postulates were confirmed using two isolates of the pathogen which was identified as Pestalotiopsis diospyri.