Abstract

An unusual bunch rot of wine grapes in the Hunter and Hastings Valleys of New South Wales (NSW) was identified as being caused by Colletotrichum acutatum. Symptoms included a salmon-pink discharge of conidia from infected fruit and a characteristic bitter taint to both grapes and wine. The disease was found to be widespread in sub-tropical grape growing regions of NSW. This is believed to be the first report of Colletotrichum acutatum on Vitis vinifera in Australia.