First report of Anthracnose/collar rot caused by Colletotrichum dematium on statice (Limonium sinuatum) in Pakistan

During the month of March 2011, the incidence of anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum dematium on statice grown as ornamental plants at Ayub Agricultural Research Institute Faisalabad, Pakistan, was recorded. The characteristic symptoms were first, brownish spots on leaves and branches, and then drying of branches starting from plant tips down to the collar region, causing collar rots and leading to the death of the whole plant. C. dematium was consistently isolated from infected plants. This is the first report of anthracnose caused by C. dematium on statice plants in Pakistan. Key words : Statice, anthracnose, collar rot, Colletotrichum dematium .