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Anthracnose crown rot (Colletotrichum spp.) is a fungal disease causing sporadic wilt and plant death. Early symptoms begin with plant stunting and browning/wilting of young leaves. During mild to moderate disease, plants
may wilt during the heat of the day and then recover at night. As disease progresses, lack of water uptake causes plant collapse and death. If crowns are cut lengthwise, internal tissue appears reddish-brown and white marbled;
crowns remain firm. Roots are not affected and remain white. Introduction often occurs through transplants. Colletotrichum spp. overwinter on infected plant tissue, in debris, and in mummified fruit; it can remain in soil for 9 months.

Anthracnose crown rot.

(Unknown Photographer, University of Kentucky)

Management:

• Begin with clean plant material.
• Use proper sanitation.
• Remove diseased plants.
• Rotate with non-host plants.
• Use fungicides to suppress disease development; fungicides do not cure disease.

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