Neotypification of Colletotrichum falcatum, the causative agent of red-rot disease in sugarcane

Colletotrichum falcatum is an important pathogen of sugarcane causing red rot disease. The type specimen of this species could not be located in any herbaria. A fresh specimen was therefore collected and isolated from the location as stated in the protologue. A neotype of C. falcatum with a living culture is designated in order to stabilize the application of the species name. The morphology of conidia and appressoria, and cultural characters of the ex-neotype culture is provided and its pathogenicity on sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is confirmed by re-inoculation. Phylogenetic analysis showed that C. falcatum clusters in a distinct lineage in the curved-spored Colletotrichum species.