Biological characteristics of the pathogenic fungus causing anthracnose of litchi

The effect of temperature, pH, light, carbon source and moisture on the mycelial growth, sporulation and conidial germination of litchi anthracnose fungus (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz.) was primarily studied. For the mycelial growth of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides , the range of temperature was 8-38℃, the optimum being 28℃,and the range of pH was 3-10, the optimum being 5-6. For the sporulation, the range of temperature was 12-36℃, the optimum being 28-32℃, and the range of pH was 3-10, the optimum being 3-4. For the conidial germination, the range of temperature was 8-38℃, the optimum being 28-32℃, and the range of pH was 3-10, the optimum being 6-7. The treatment of darkness with fluorescent light or with alternative fluorescent did not have significant effect on the mycelial growth, sporulation or conidial germination. When relative humidity reached 100% or in water, the percentage of conidial germination was highest. The glucose, sucrose, maltose or fructose could promote the conidial germination. The lethal temperature for the spores was 50℃ remaining 10 minutes, while the lethal temperature for the mycelium was 60℃ remaining 30 minutes.