Characterization and Pathogenicity of <i>Colletotrichum truncatum</i> Causing Stem Anthracnose of Red‐Fleshed Dragon Fruit (<i>Hylocereus polyrhizus</i>) in Malaysia

Abstract

Abstract During August 2010 and January 2011, 10 isolates of Colletotrichum were recovered from stem anthracnose lesions of Hylocereus polyrhizus in the states of Kedah and Penang, Malaysia. Based on the morphological characteristics of colony colour and appearance, and shapes of conidia as well as sequences of internal transcribed spacer regions ( ITS ), β ‐tubulin, actin ( ACT ) and glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase ( GAPDH ), the fungus was identified as Colletotrichum truncatum . Pathogenicity test showed that C. truncatum isolates were pathogenic to the artificially inoculated H. polyrhizus stem. This is the first report of C. truncatum causing anthracnose on H. polyrhizus stems in Malaysia.