Postbloom fruit drop of citrus in Belize: I. Disease epidemiology

Peaks in the occurrence of spores of Colletotrichum gloesporiodes in run-off water from citrus trees coincided with the blossoming seasons: the greatest numbers of spores occurred in the main bloom period of January to March, during which postbloom fruit drop disease is usually severe. Conidia were present in moderate numbers between blossoming seasons, but off-season blossoms were not always infected. Perithecia of Gomerella cingulata often occurred on rotting citrus leaves on the ground, but few ascopsores were found in run-off water; primary infection of blossoms is attributed mainly to condidia of C. gloeosporioides from off-season blossoms, but condidia produced by phylloplane Colletotrichum inhabitants may also be involved.