MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC CROPS (2+1)

Pests and diseases

Wilt

The crop is affected by wilt disease, caused by the Fusarium species, and Botrydeplodia theobromae, which are soil borne fungi.

Control measures:
Dip the cuttings in 0.03% Benlate solution at the time of planting in the nursery.Prior to transplanting the rooted cuttings must be again dipped in 0.03% Benlate solution and then planted. The crop is sprayed with 0.03% Benlate solution about 2 weeks before it is harvested. Also after the harvest it is repeated, so that the cut-ends are drenched with the fungicide. It has been observed at the CIMAP, Lucknow, that the cultivation of Scented geranium in association with marigold (Togetes minuta) improves the survival of Scented geranium plants over the monsoon time in the North Indian plains.

Roots-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita and M. hapla): Affect the Scented geranium plant. Application of Aldicarb @ 20 kg/ha to the soil reduces the incidence of root-knot.