Colletotrichum species pathogenic to strawberry: discovery history, global diversity, prevalence in China, and the host range of top two species

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum species, is one of the most destructive diseases affecting strawberry production worldwide. Fungi of the genus Colletotrichum , being ancient and co-evolved with flowering plants, rank eighth among the top ten economically important fungal pathogens and have diversified to adapt to various hosts. Since it was first reported in United States in 1931, strawberry anthracnose has spread globally, resulting in devastating economic, social, and ecological consequences. In a sense, to produce organic strawberry is impracticable largely because of this disease. Colletotrichum species pathogenic to strawberry have been widely characterized. The review focused on providing an accurate inventory of Colletotrichum species pathogenic to strawberry via revisiting the discovery history scrupulously over 90 years. A total of 23 Colletotrichum species clustered into five species complexes and two singleton taxa were accepted as strawberry pathogens with global occurrence illustrated. The relative prevalence of distinct Colletotrichum species associated with strawberry was systematically analyzed in China. Finally, the host range of the prevailing C. fructicola and C. siamense , also the top two Colletotrichum species causing serious damages on the earth was summarized, with a goal of diagnosing accurately and improving anthracnose management in agricultural ecosystem.