Anthracnose Pathology and Management in Olive Cultivars

Anthracnose in olive cultivars, primarily driven by pathogenic species within the Colletotrichum acutatum complex, ranks among the most devastating diseases in Mediterranean and subtropical orchards. Characterised by latent infections that remain quiescent in immature fruit and other vegetative organs, the disease manifests at ripening as fruit rot, leading to notable yield reductions and degradation of oil quality through elevated acidity, peroxide values and sensory defects. Environmental factors such as rainfall and temperature modulate pathogen spread and symptom development, while cultivar‐related susceptibility shapes epidemic outcomes. Traditional management has relied on copper‐based fungicides and cultural practices including pruning and sanitation, yet increasing regulation of copper use and concerns over chemical residues have intensified the search for sustainable alternatives. Current research highlights the potential of biological plant protection products, endophytic microbes and nanotechnology alongside precision breeding for resistant cultivars. Success hinges on integrating pathogen diversity, host–pathogen interactions and orchard management, underpinned by advances in molecular diagnostics and epidemiological modelling to deliver resilient and environmentally compatible disease control strategies.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have explored interspecific competition between Colletotrichum godetiae and C. nymphaeae, the dominant anthracnose pathogens in Spain and Portugal respectively. In both in vitro and fruit co‐inoculation experiments, C. godetiae displaced C. nymphaeae even when initially in minority, reflecting superior colonisation capacity and greater tolerance to metallic copper. Although each species displays similar virulence across key cultivars, these competitive dynamics explain regional prevalence and underscore the importance of pathogen assemblage considerations in disease risk assessment. Insights into fungal interactions and copper resistance inform integrated management planning, emphasising that control strategies must address both individual pathogen biology and interspecific competition.

Anthracnose Pathology and Management in Olive Cultivars publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in anthracnose pathology and management in olive cultivars across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Anthracnose: A fungal disease causing fruit rot and branch dieback in olives, typically associated with species of the genus Colletotrichum.

Latent infection: A phase in which the pathogen remains quiescent in host tissues without visible symptoms until conditions favour disease development.

Species complex: A group of closely related fungal species that share morphological traits but may differ in pathogenicity, distribution and control responses.

Biological plant protection product (bioPPP): A formulation containing living organisms or natural metabolites that suppress plant pathogens through antagonism or induction of host defences.

Copper‐based fungicide: A chemical control agent containing copper compounds, widely used to prevent fungal diseases but subject to regulatory and environmental constraints.

References

1. Evaluation of Biological Plant Protection Products for Their Ability to Induce Olive Innate Immune Mechanisms and Control Colletotrichum acutatum, the Causal Agent of Olive Anthracnose. Plants (2024).
2. Study of the competition between Colletotrichum godetiae and C. nymphaeae, two pathogenic species in olive. Scientific Reports (2023).
3. Olive anthracnose: a yield‐ and oil quality‐degrading disease caused by several species of Colletotrichum that differ in virulence, host preference and geographical distribution. Molecular Plant Pathology (2018).
4. Diversity of Colletotrichum Species Associated with Olive Anthracnose Worldwide. Journal of Fungi (2021).