Anthracnose: A Crop Disease That Affects Farmers and Consumers

Crop farmers are severely affected when anthracnose disease infects their produce. Consumers should also be aware of the effects of this disease.

Crop farmers should be aware of the anthracnose disease as it affects many common fruits and vegetables making the produce unmarketable. Anthracnose also affects various ornamentals and other trees so it can spread in the garden or field. Consumers should also know about anthracnose disease because they will not get the full usage of any infected produce that is purchased. Although anthracnose can affect an entire crop, there are some measures that can be used to control its negative effects.

What is Anthracnose Disease

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in "Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum sp.on Pepper" shares that "Anthracnose is caused by fungi in the genus Colletotrichum". This disease deteriorates the look of fruits or leaves by causing black or dark sunken spots. 

Farmers' Fruits and Vegetables Suffer From Anthracnose

Anthracnose affects mangoes, papayas, peppers, bananas, beans, citrus, plantain, tomato, sweet peppers and a variety of fruits and vegetables. It is a difficult infestation to deal with because according to the Online Information Service for Non-Chemical Pest Management in the Tropics (OISAT) in Anthracnose, the "anthracnose disease attacks all plant parts at any growth stage" and the "symptoms are most visible on leaves and ripe fruits." This of course reduces the quantity of marketable produce that the farmer has to sell and thus the farmers' income. In the British Virgin Islands, anthracnose has been identified in mangoes, avocados and papayas.

Consumers Should Select Fruits and Vegetables Carefully

Have you ever noticed a papaya or mango that looks spotty in the grocery store? While anthracnose is detected more closely when fruits ripen, consumers must be sure to look for blemish-free produce when they are shopping. Any half-ripe fruit such as a mango or banana purchased with dark or black spots, may partially or wholly rot before ripening. In some cases, the outward appearance of the fruit will clearly indicate that the fruit has a problem.

Anthracnose Infection in Crops Can be Controlled

Both farmers and consumers play a role in controlling anthracnose infestations. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the key to reducing and controlling anthracnose for farmers. Consumers who are vigilant can also help supermarkets, farmers and the government in reducing the spread of the disease.

• Farmers should use IPM to control anthracnose: Farmers have to use infection-free seeds and seedlings and prune their fruit trees regularly. They should also weed, rake leaves and use crop rotation techniques. "Remove and destroy infected parts but avoid touching other plant parts, especially when these are wet" is advice given by OISAT. Farmers who suspect that their crops are infected should contact their department responsible for agriculture to visit their farm to give recommendations. It is important not to wait until it is time to harvest when the fruit or vegetables cannot be saved.
• Consumers can help to reduce anthracnose too: Consumers, while shopping or after shopping, can report any fruit that they suspect to be infected to the supermarket's produce employees. They can also contact their local department responsible for agriculture to notify them if any potential infection is spotted. If any fruit or vegetable is purchased and as it ripens, it becomes spotty and moldy, be sure to burn or discard of the fruit or peel in a sealed bag. Any peel or fruit thrown outside can easily spread the infection to other plants that are susceptible to the disease. 

Farmers and consumers suffer when anthracnose infects fruits and vegetables. It is a disease which causes financial losses. This fungus can be controlled if farmers and consumers, along with their representatives for agriculture, work together and are vigilant to reduce the spread of anthracnose. Read more at Supermarket Shopping Tips: Buy the Best Fruits From the Store.