Stem Rot and Shattering of Easter Cactus Caused by Drechslera cactivora. A. R. Chase, Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology, IFAS, University of Florida, Agricultural Research Center, Apopka, FL 32703. Plant Dis. 66:602-603. Accepted for publication 29 January 1982. Copyright 1982 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-66-602.

Drechslera cactivora (Helminthosporium cactivorum) was isolated consistently from diseased Easter cactus showing symptoms of stem rot and cladophyll abscission (shattering). Inoculations with conidial suspensions of D. cactivora on artificially wounded or unwounded Easter cactus resulted in disease symptoms. Cellfree extracts of the pathogen also caused stem rot and shattering of injected Easter cactus. The related Thanksgiving (also called Christmas) cactus also was susceptible to D. cactivora although symptoms occurred infrequently. Isolates of the pathogen from Cereus sp. were pathogenic on Easter cactus.

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