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Severe post-harvest losses in tropical fruit crops do occur as a direct result of post-harvest diseases in the Caribbean. Post-harvest diseases such as anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) and stem end rot or soft rot (Botryodiplodia theobromae) have been responsible for limiting productivity and export quality of produce. The accumulative losses due to these diseases also inhibit development of the fruit sub-sector in the region. Anthracnose, a serious disease on non-traditional export fruits such as mango, papaw and avocado, exhibit the phenomenon of quiescence or latency. On infection the symptoms and development of disease are not seen until the fruit ripens or matures. This type of infection is also found in anthurium in the field. Quiescence is not fully understood hence management strategies for control have proven difficult and/or uneconomical. Stem end rot or soft rot unlike anthracnose is much more easily controlled. Recent sudies show that management strategies for anthracnose should include pre-harvest (i.e. in the field) treatments in combination with those of post-harvest.

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