Sooty mould

Sooty mould

    Causal organism: Capnodium versicolor
    Symptoms
    • Disease severity increases with the increased population of leaf hoppers, aphids and other insects. Black superficial growth of the fungus appears on entire surface of leaves, fruits and twigs. The Fungus responsible is not a parasite, but it grows on the excreta and honey secretions of insects.
    • Under dry spell, the infected leaves curl & shrivel. At flowering time the disease results in reduced fruit set.
    • Sooty mass is a superficial growth of the fungus which multiplies on insect secretions. The mould hampers the photosynthesis activity and yield decreases.
    Sources of inoculum
    • Primary source of inoculum: Dormant mycelia
    • Secondary source of inoculum: Air borne conidia: Spread: Through Insects, aphids and wind
    • Epidemiology: Factors like congenial temperature (28 -320 C), 85-90% RH, Warm Weather and presence of susceptible host favours the disease.
    Sooty mold
    Management
    • Sprays of wettable sulphur 0.2% along with insecticide Dimethoate 1.5g/lit
    • Spraying of 1% starch solution on the mouldy growth makes flakes of the fungus which fall from the plant, with slight air flow.

Last modified: Saturday, 21 January 2012, 8:30 AM