Diseases of Fruit Plantation Medicinal and Aromatic Crops

Pink disease

Causal organism

• The causal organism of pink disease Corticium salmonicolor B. Br.
Classification
• Class- Basidiomycotina,
• Order- Polyporales &
• Family- Thelephoraceae.
Symptoms

• Infected branches show a pink encrustation, hence the name pink disease.
• On the brown wood of infected branches longitudinal cracks develop through which pinkish encrustation bursts.
• In advanced stage, entire branch may show a pinkish encrustation.
• Cobweb like mycelial strands are seen on infected branches.
• Infected branches loose their leaves & die.
• Favourable factors
• Continuous monsoon rains, relative humidity near saturation & thick overhead shade are the favourable factors for the disease development.
Management

• In endemic areas, maintain clear and open structure of the bushes by removing leaf litters of overhead trees fallen on branches.
• Adopt proper handling and centering of bushes so as to provide proper aeration and drainage to minimize build up of humidity
• Spray 1.0 % Bordeaux mixture before the onset of south-west monsoon
• If disease is noticed, remove infected leaves and berries and bury them.
• Also spray Bavistin 0.03 % a.i. (120 g/ 200 l water) during break in monsoon.