Epidemiology of bacterial spot of mangoes.
Kotze J. M., Viljoen N. M., Steyn P. L.
Author Affiliation: Citrus and Subtropical Fruit Research Institute, Nelspruit, South Africa.
Citrus and Subtropical Fruit Journal : 5-7
Abstract : In a young mango orchard, cv. Kent, seriously infected with Pseudomonas mangiferaeindicae in the previous year, the flowers were sprayed with Agrimycin and enclosed in paper bags. These were opened for hand pollination on 31 August and subsequently replaced for 1 to 3 months, starting at monthly intervals from 1 September. Infection started early in the season, but was especially severe on fruits exposed during the period 1 October to 1 December. In a trial on the effect of seed infection on germination, seeds with coats removed were dipped in a solution of NaOCl at 0.1% for 1 min or in a suspension of P. mangiferaeindicae, or rinsed in water. After 9 days none of the inoculated seeds had germinated, whereas 92 and 25% of those dipped in NaOCl and water, respectively, had germinated. The average plant height 14 days after planting was much the greatest following NaOCl treatment. Data are also presented from laboratory trials on the effect of high RH for 24 h, at different periods after inoculation. Symptoms developed most rapidly (after 10 days) following high RH 3 and 6 days after inoculation.