Diseases of major fruit crops in the red and lateritic zones of West Bengal.
Kaiser S. A. K. M., Saha B.
Author Affiliation: Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur 741 252, West Bengal, India.
Journal of Mycopathological Research 43 : 233-237
Abstract : Diseases of major fruit crops in the red and lateritic zones of West Bengal, India were surveyed in 1996-2001. Mango was mainly affected by anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides [Glomerella cingulata]) and Diplodia stem end rot (Diplodia natalensis [Botryodiplodia theobromae]) followed by leaf blight (Macrophoma mangifera) and powdery mildew (Oidium mangiferae). The major pathogen of guava was wilt (Fusarium solani f.sp. psidii) and some postharvest fruit rots incited by Colletotrichum spp., Rhizopus spp., Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp. On citrus and mosambi, canker (Xanthomonas citri) and greening (mycoplasmal disease) were endemic. Seedling blight incited by species of Pythium spinosum and Fusarium was a serious problem in cashew followed by die-back (Pythium spinosum) and anthracnose (Colletotricum gloeosporioides), whereas litchi suffered mainly from postharvest fruit rots due to Fusarium semitectum [F. pallidoroseum], Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. Rhizopus rot on young fruits of jackfruit was widely prevalent. Different kinds of fruit rot incited by species of Penicillium on amla, Aspergillus on amra and bael, Colletotrichum on banana, ber, custard apple, jamun and papaya were also recorded from different markets. Chemical control of the pathogen was achieved particularly against postharvest fruit rots of mango and litchi, citrus canker, and dieback and seedling blight of cashew. Varietal resistance was recorded against postharvest fruit rots of mango and litchi, seedling blight of guava and dieback of citrus.