Diseases of fruit plantation medicinal and aromatic crops (2+1)

Black banded/Black stem

Rhinocladium corticolumn Massee – [Syn. Pexiotruchum corticolum (Massee) Subram]. The occurrence of disease in mango was recorded at Pune. Now it occurs in A.P., Goa, Gujrat, Karnataka, maharastra, T.N, and W.B.

Black, velvety or felt-like growth is seen on the midribs and bark of twigs and branches of mango. The disease is very low on main branches. The fungus develops on the colonies of scale insects and therefore it is not responsible for the death of branches but the scale insects are the primary causes for the damage of twigs. It presence a characteristic and conspicuous black banded appearance. The mycelia growth and clusters of conidiophores present a velvety appearance during rainy seasons which drop off in summer months leaving light black bands on the affected portions. Badly infected twigs and branches are to be cut and destroy. The surface of twigs or branches may be scraped off and brushed with a solution of COC with insecticide to get rid of attack of both.

Black banded / black stem