Rain Splash Dispersal of<i>Colletotrichum acutatum</i>from Infected Strawberry Fruit

Abstract

A rain simulator was used to investigate the influence of rain intensity, rain duration and ground cover on splash dispersal of C. acutatum. Potted strawberry plants were held in two concentric circles by a wood frame which was levelly exposed to a uniform zone of generated rain. With plastic cover, 100% disease incidence was obtained at both distances and all times. With soil and straw, disease incidence was generally less in the outer compared with the inner circle