Anthracnose of perilla (Perilla ocymoides L.) caused by Colletotrichum destructivum

Abstract

Brown leaf spots and shoot blight were observed on perilla (Perilla ocymoides L.) in Osaka Prefecture in June 2006. The causal agent was identified as Colletotrichum destructivum O’Gara. The same symptoms were produced after inoculating perilla plants with present isolate. This report is the first of anthracnose of perilla in Japan. This pathogen, originally found on a reddish purple cultivar of perilla (akajiso), also infects P. frutescens (L.).