First report of Colletotrichum brevisporum causing anthracnose disease on okra in the Philippines

In March 2022, small black lesions were observed on okra leaves (Abelmoschus manihot L. Moench) grown in Tagum, Davao del Norte, Philippines. Colonies of the pure cultures had a cream-to-gray color and darkened as the colony aged. On the underside, the colony is dark gray. Conidia are elongated, with both ends rounded, measuring 17.51± 1.11 μm long and 5.80 ± 0.43 μm wide. The morphology and cultural characteristics of the fungus resemble those of the genus Colletotrichum. Molecular analysis further confirmed the fungus identity as Colletotrichum brevisporum. The pathogenicity of the C. brevisporum was verified by Koch’s postulates on okra cv. “Smooth Green” plants grown in the greenhouse. This is the first report of C. brevisporum causing anthracnose in okra. Little is known about the pathology of Colletotrichum brevisporum on its hosts. Hence, further studies on the host-pathogen interaction of this pathosystem are needed.