Colletotrichum karstii, causal agent of anthracnose on ornamental Ficus benjamina in Iran

Anthracnose, a leaf disease caused by Colletotrichum species, is a major threat to ornamental plants worldwide. This study aimed to identify the causal agent of anthracnose affecting Ficus benjamina plants in greenhouses around Amol, Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Fungal isolation from infected leaves revealed a Colletotrichum species, which was confirmed as C. karstii through morphological, cultural characteristics, and partial β-tubulin gene sequencing. Pathogenicity tests fulfilled Koch's postulates by reproducing anthracnose symptoms on inoculated F. benjamina plants. This study establishes C. karstii as the first reported causal agent of anthracnose on F. benjamina in Iran, contributing to a better understanding of C. karstii impact on Iranian ornamental plants.

Keywords:

Anthracnose , β-tubulin , Ornamental plants , Phylogeny , Plant disease