DIVERSITY OF COLLETOTRICHUM SPECIES CAUSING ANTHRACNOSE OF RUBBER TREE IN CHINA

Abstrak

We investigated the phylogenetic diversity of 62 Colletotrichum isolates associated with symptomatic tissues of Hevea brasiliensis from four provinces in China (Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan). Based on multi-locus (ACT, CHS-1, CAL, GAPDH, GS, ITS, TUB2) phylogenetic analyses and phenotypic characters, 5 species were distinguished, including two well-characterised species (C. fructicola,                      C. siamense), one novel species of C. gloeosporioides species complex (Colletotrichum ledongense), and two novel species of C. acutatum species complex (Colletotrichum bannanense, and Colletotrichum hainanense). Of these, C. acutatum species complex was proved to be the most dominant and probably host specific taxon occurring on Hevea brasiliensis.

Keywords: Hevea brasiliensis, anthracnose, phylogenetic diversity, Colletotrichum sp., rubber, leaf fall disease