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Abstract
Anthracnose, induced by Colletotrichum lupini, significantly threatens the white lupin industry, primarily originating from infections in asymptomatic seeds. This study evaluated the aggressiveness of six C. lupini strains reisolated from symptomatic pods in the same field in 2021. The assessment targeted Russian cultivars ('Aly Parus,' 'Michurinskij,' 'SN 5-19') and the Australian cultivar 'Andromeda.' Employing a seed infection assay, seeds were directly inoculated with C. lupini mycelia, revealing morphological variations and distinct aggressiveness of the strains at different plant developmental stages. While none impeded plant emergence, four strains caused significant early mortality across all cultivars, with no discernible differences in susceptibility. This study briefly discusses utilizing survival analysis to comprehensively understand the fungus's effects on plants. By exploring diverse tolerance strategies employed by white lupins during different developmental stages, it is suggested that the observed diversity in pathogenicity highlights the need for assembling diverse strains for effective screening and resistance breeding.