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As part of a program to generate anthracnose (Colletotrichum acutatum) resistance in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) via either tissue culture or gene transfer techniques, studies were conducted to determine whether in vitro screening for resistance to C. acutatum was feasible. Six commercial cultivars (Latestar, Delmarvel, Pelican, Sweet Charlie, Chandler, and Honeoye) that differed in their response to the pathogen under field conditions were tested to see whether this response was reflected in vitro. Leaves from 4-week-old shoot cultures were soaked in a spore suspension of C. acutatum isolate Goff, transferred to 0.5% water agar, and the presence or absence of disease symptoms was evaluated on a 0-4 rating scale after 7 days. Five of the six cultivars exhibited a disease rating similar to field results. This study suggests that there is potential to use this procedure as a screening technique, and studies are in progress to screen strawberry regenerants for resistance.