Disease

Anthracnose

Colletotrichum spp.

A group of fungi spread in splashing water that cause sunken spots on leaves, stems and fruit. On tomato it rots ripe fruit; on beans and cucurbits it hits leaves and fruit alike.

Signs

• Round, sunken, dark spots on fruit, with salmon-pink spore masses in wet weather.
• Leaf spots on cucurbits whose centers drop out, leaving a ragged look.
• Sunken, elongated stem lesions on cucumber and melon.

What favors it

Warm, wet weather; splashing water; infected seed, transplants and debris.

Prevention

• Plant clean, certified seed and transplants.
• Mulch and water at the base.
• Rotate for three years and clear debris.

Often confused with

Sources

• Anthracnose of cucurbitsUniversity of Minnesota Extension
• Anthracnose Disease of VegetablesUniversity of Maryland Extension

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