Strawberry anthracnose primarily affects which part of the plant?

Strawberry anthracnose is caused by fungal pathogens, particularly those from the Colletotrichum genus, and it primarily affects the fruit and runners of the strawberry plant. The symptoms manifest as dark, sunken lesions on the fruit, which can lead to decay and make the fruit unmarketable. In addition, the disease can affect runners, which are the extensions of the plant that propagate new plants. This is significant for strawberry production as both the quality of the fruit and the vigor of subsequent generations can be impacted, leading to economic losses for growers.

While roots, leaves, and flowers can be affected by various diseases, they are not the primary targets of anthracnose in strawberries, making this focus on fruit and runners crucial for effective disease management strategies.