Anthracnose fruit rot (AFR) caused by the pathogen Colletotrichum coccodes is the most serious disease of processing tomatoes in the Midwest. The pathogen can overwinter in infected plant debris and weed species. During the growing season the pathogen can infect roots, leaves causing unnoticed secondary infections, and cause latent infections on developing green fruit. Infected fruit will not show symptoms until the fruit begins to ripen (see picture). Control of AFR is best with chemical control and crop rotation.