First report of anthracnose of common snowberry caused by Sphaceloma symphoricarpi in the Czech Republic

During the first part of July, 2006, a severe outbreak of disease on common snowberry shrubs, Symhoricarpos albus var. laevigata, was observed in some city ornamental parks and small gardens in Prague and its environs. Based on disease symptoms and pathogen characteristics both on leaves, shoots, fruits and in culture, it can be concluded that the outbreak of anthracnose on common snowberry was caused by Sphaceloma symphoricarpi Barus & Horsfall 1928. This is probably the first record of S. symphoricarpi in the Czech Republic. Of the surveyed Symphoricarpos species and varieties, i.e. S. albus var. albus, S. albus var. laevigata, S. orbiculatus, S. doorenbosii, and S. chenaultii, only S. albus var. laevigata was attacked by the pathogen. Common snowberry shrubs having semipendent branches appeared to be more susceptible than shrubs with upright ones. Disease symptoms and pathogen characteristics are described and illustrated. The analysis of meteorological data indicated that the outbreak of anthracnose of common snowberry might have been related with rainy and mild weather during May, and especially with a rainy period of 7 days at the end of May and beginning of June.