A model for estimating infection levels of anthracnose disease of mango.
Fitzell R. D., Peak C. M., Darnell R. E.
Author Affiliation: Agric. Res. Cent., Dep. Agric., Wollongbar, NSE, Australia 2480.
Annals of Applied Biology 104 : 451-458
Abstract : The disease, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides [Glomerella cingulata] var. minor, spreads by water-borne conidia from vegetative parts of the tree to attack inflorescences and prevent fruit set. An analysis of data from lab. studies showed that infection by conidia during wet periods was related to both temp. and duration of the wet period. A model was used to estimate infection levels in 2 NSW orchards over 3 seasons. The number of infection periods recorded and the estimated percentage of conidia forming appressoria in these periods matched disease development during flush growth and flowering. In 1980, only 2 infection periods were detected during flowering in 1 of these orchards and blossom blight did not prevent fruit set. In 1981 and 1982 however, higher estimated levels of infection were recorded more frequently during the same time and severe blossom blight developed. In the second orchard, situated in an area less favourable to disease and monitored during 1982, 9 infection periods were recorded during flowering, compared to 14 in the first. A moderate level of blossom blight developed in this orchard.