Characterization of the coffee berry disease pathogen, Colletotrichum kahawae sp. nov.

Abstract

A range of Colletotrichum isolates from coffee, including the coffee berry disease (CBD) pathogen, and representative isolates of C. gloeosporioides from some other tropical crops are compared. Isolates of the CBD pathogen taken from across its range of distribution in Africa have common morphological, biochemical and pathogenic characteristics. These distinguish them from other Colletotrichum isolates. The nomenclature of the CBD pathogen, often referred to as a form of C. coffeanum, is confused. Its taxonomic position is discussed and the new species name Colletotrichum kahawae is introduced.