Introduction

Citrus anthracnose disease is a devastating disease that fatally damages this crop. Our team is excited to inform you that we have identified dark, sunken lesions on leaves, stems, and fruit. We are confident that we can maintain the yield of this high-value crop and improve fruit quality by addressing this issue. But with proper identification and control measures, citrus growers can keep this disease at bay. In this blog post, we’ll discuss citrus anthracnose causes, symptoms, and control methods so you can protect your citrus trees and ensure a bountiful harvest.

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Can you provide me with information on the symptoms of Citrus Anthracnose Disease?

1. 1.  The old leaf or the leaf that has become a little old will first have green spots. The color of these spots soon turns brown.
      
      

      Citrus Anthracnose Diseases infected leaf. Image Source: Collected

   2. Humid weather causes the production of a fungal structure resembling a black dot in the affected parts. These points are known as acervuli.
   3. Anthracnose disease is more on the front and edges of the leaf. Affected branches begin to dry from the top downwards. This is why many people call this disease Die-back disease.
   4. The leaves fall as the stems dry, and sometimes the stalks dry up before the leaves are shed. Due to this, numerous dead, half-dead, or rotten branches without leaves are found in the affected plants. If the incidence of the disease is high, the larger units also become infected and turn yellow. Gradually the leaf of the affected branches drop off and wither. Dead branches also have a lot of black spots (Esarvuli). If the tree has fruit in this condition, the fruit drop can also be infected with this disease. If bota is infected, the fruit becomes weak and drops.
      

5. Hard wrinkled brown spots appear on the affected fruits. All these fruits rot if stored in the warehouse.

What Causes Anthracnose Disease?

Anthracnose is a fungal infection that affects citrus plants. The disease can rapidly spread throughout the tree limbs via wind-blown fragments.

The cause of anthracnose disease is two types of fungus: Gloeosporium limiticolumus and Colletotrichum gloeosporides. 

Anthracnose disease caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporides is called die-back disease.

Colletotrichun produces black cut-like setae on acervuli. Cita is divided by the cell wall and has a sharp groove-like cut in the anterior direction. Gloeosporium fungi do not produce setae in acervuli. Both fungi are colorless. 

How do the Origin and spread of The disease?

Anthracnose disease spores reside in the soil and on abandoned parts of infected plants. Sowing or planting seedlings in disease-contaminated seedbeds causes infection. From affected trees by water splash and wind, Conidium spreads on large trees. In spring, rain causes the black dots on the affected parts to burst, releasing conidia that attack all the plants of the season. Anthracnose disease, especially early blight, attacks the plant at a vulnerable moment. When the soil lacks vital nutrients and water, harbors toxic elements, or when extreme temperatures, winds, or other external factors compromise the plant, it becomes more susceptible to germ infestations.

How To Control Citrus Anthracnose Disease?

1. 1. 1.  You should produce seedlings in disease-free seedbeds and plant them in disease-free gardens.
      2.  When the seedlings grow, you should spray them with resin bird mixture in the ratio of 4: 4: 50 once in January and again in September to keep them disease free.
      3. Providing the plant with sufficient fertilization and regular watering around the roots. It will help to avoid any nutrient deficiencies that may weaken the plant.
      4.  Due to excessive hot air blowing, the tree becomes weak. So, we should plant other trees to fence the direction from which the hot air comes.
      5.  It is essential to keep watering the plant every week during the hot season.
      6. If the soil test indicates alkalinity, applying 4.5 kg of gypsum to each plant is necessary to avoid disrupting and weakening their food supply.
      7. You should prune affected parts every year after harvesting. While pruning the affected part, you should also prune the healthy part 10 cm below the scar. Because the mycelium of the fungus stays up to several centimeters through the part that looks healthy under the spot.
      8. You should carefully collect trimmed parts and buried or burned.
      9.  You should spry Copper fungicide immediately after pruning. Otherwise, the spores can enter the plant body through the cut wound and cause disease.

Conclusion

Anthracnose significantly threatens citrus crops, causing dark, sunken lesions on leaves, stems, and fruit. However, with proper detection and control measures, citrus growers can effectively combat the disease and protect their crops. Understanding the causes and symptoms of anthracnose and using different control methods can easily ensure a healthy and abundant harvest of citrus fruits.

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I am Gaushoul Agam,

𝐂𝐨-𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 & 𝐂𝐄𝐎,
ToAgriculture

As an experienced SA Horticulture Officer in the Horticulture Wing of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, I am dedicated to advancing agriculture and farming.

With a mission to address global food safety challenges amid a growing population, diminishing arable land, and the impacts of climate change on agriculture, I founded ToAgriculture. Through this platform, I empower readers with modern agricultural techniques, effective pest and disease control, and sustainable agricultural management, leading to a more secure and prosperous future in agriculture.

With over four years of expertise in field crops and seven years in horticulture crops, my knowledge spans fruit and vegetable farming techniques, adept pest-disease management, proficient irrigation strategies, and the art of grafting. Join me on this journey of discovery as I share insights and experiences to guide readers toward a sustainable future.