The pathogenesis of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & Sacc. from the state of Michoacán, México was characterized in avocado (Persea americana L.) fruits cv. 'Hass'. The fungus caused typical disease symptoms of 'anthracnose' ten days after inoculation. Fungal infection rate was significantly different (p<0.05) between treatments since the sixth day after inoculation and the disease development was explained by one simple linear regression model (Y = 1.123 + 0.1133X). No appresoria were found but one mucilagous layer associated to germ tubes was detected. Fungal infective process started with intra and inter-cellular penetration by hyphae and after, acervuli were produced twelve days after inoculation. Anthracnose symptoms were associated with poly-phenol degradation, plasmolysis, necrosis and cell disintegration.
Persea americana L.; antrhracnose; pathogenicity; pathogenesis
