Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu lato associated with anthracnose in Bauhinia forficata

Bauhinia forficata is an important plant commonly used in traditional medicine, and as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens. Its use as an ornamental plant is compromised by the symptoms of anthracnose. Although anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum species is a widespread plant disease and observed across several Brazilian regions, the species associated with this disease are unknown for most host species. The present study aimed to identify the Colletotrichum species associated with anthracnose of B. forficata in Brazil, as well as the prevalence and aggressiveness of each. Multilocus phylogenetic analyses including the loci APN2, APN2-MAT/IGS, CAL, GAP2/IGS, GAPDH, GS and TUB2 reveals that C. chrysophilum, C. siamense and C. tropicale are associated with B. forficata anthracnose across three different Brazilian geographic regions. Colletotrichum siamense was prevalent in all sampled regions and was also the most aggressive species on B. forficata leaves. The Colletotrichum species here reported have been found on several commercial crops. Since B. forficata commonly occurs as a native plant in areas near commercial fields, it may represent a potential source of inoculum to these crops.