Colletotrichum infections during flower development and fruit ripening in four olive cultivars

Olive anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum, is an important disease in olive-growing regions, with the most destructive symptoms being fruit rot and blossom blight. Susceptibility of to Colletotrichum increases maturity, but differences between cultivars species have been reported, still information on flower susceptibility during development scarce. The olive Arbequina, Coratina, Frantoio Picual was evaluated maturity acutatum s.s., C. nymphaeae, fioriniae, theobromicola alienum. anthracnose begins early stages blossoming. Flowers Coratina were susceptible, whereas those moderately susceptible. Green developed less than mature fruit. At green stage, Arbequina intermediate, while no found among at stages. No mayor exception theobromicola, which greatest severity stage. Future research should focus developing management strategies minimize progress from ripening, especially susceptible cultivars.