CHARACTERIZATION OF THE COFFEE BERRY DISEASE PATHOGEN, COLLETOTRICHUM-KAHAWAE SP-NOV

A range of Colletotrichum isolates from coffee, including the coffee b erry disease (CBD) pathogen, and representative isolates of C. gloeosp orioides from some other tropical crops are compared. Isolates of the CBD pathogen taken from across its range of distribution in Africa hav e common morphological, biochemical and pathogenic characteristics. Th ese distinguish them from other Colletotrichum isolates. The nomenclat ure of the CBD pathogen, often referred to as a form of C. coffeanum, is confused. Its taxonomic position is discussed and the new species n ame Colletotrichum kahawae is introduced.