PLANT PATHOLOGY
Disease 1: Rust of Wheat
• Causal Organism: Puccinia triticina (Leaf rust) / Puccinia graminis (Stem rust) / Puccinia striiformis
(Stripe rust)
• Host Plant: Triticum aestivum (Wheat)
• Favourable Conditions:
o Cool, moist climate (15–25°C)
o High humidity or dew presence
o Dense crop canopy with poor air circulation
• Symptoms:
o Small, reddish-brown pustules on leaves (leaf rust)
o Blackish pustules on stems (stem rust)
o Yellowish stripe pustules on leaves (stripe rust)
o Premature leaf drying and reduced photosynthesis
• Control Measures:
o Use resistant wheat varieties
o Crop rotation and removal of volunteer wheat plants
o Fungicide application (e.g., Sulphur or systemic fungicides)
o Proper spacing for good air circulation
Disease 2: White Rust of Mustard
• Causal Organism: Albugo candida
• Host Plant: Brassica juncea (Mustard)
• Favourable Conditions:
o Cool and humid weather (10–20°C)
o High soil moisture and frequent rainfall
o Dense crop growth with poor ventilation
• Symptoms:
o White, blister-like pustules on leaves, stems, and flowers
o Chlorosis (yellowing) around pustules
o Distorted and swollen tissues
o Premature leaf drop and reduced seed yield
• Control Measures:
o Use resistant or tolerant mustard varieties
o Crop rotation with non-host crops
o Remove and destroy infected plant debris
o Apply fungicides like copper oxychloride or systemic fungicides
o Maintain proper spacing and drainage
Disease 3: Anthracnose of Mango
• Causal Organism: Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
• Host Plant: Mangifera indica (Mango)
• Favourable Conditions:
o Warm and humid climate (25–30°C)
o Prolonged leaf wetness and frequent rainfall
o Poorly ventilated orchards
• Symptoms:
o Dark, sunken necrotic spots on leaves, flowers, and fruits
o Fruit rot with black lesions and fruit drop
o Leaf blight and twig dieback
• Control Measures:
o Prune and destroy infected twigs and leaves
o Spray fungicides like copper oxychloride or carbendazim
o Avoid overhead irrigation; ensure good air circulation
o Use resistant mango varieties if available
Disease 4: Citrus Canker
• Causal Organism: Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri
• Host Plant: Citrus spp. (e.g., Citrus sinensis - Sweet orange)
• Favourable Conditions:
o Warm, humid, and rainy weather (25–35°C)
o Leaf wetness from rain or irrigation
o Wind-driven rain helps spread bacteria
• Symptoms:
o Raised, corky lesions with water-soaked margins on leaves, stems, and fruits
o Yellow halo surrounding lesions
o Premature leaf and fruit drop
o Defoliation and fruit blemishes reducing market value
• Control Measures:
o Use disease-free planting material
o Remove and destroy infected plant parts
o Copper-based bactericidal sprays regularly
o Avoid overhead irrigation and improve orchard sanitation
o Quarantine and restrict movement of infected materials
Disease 5: Rice Blight
• Causal Organism: Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae
• Host Plant: Oryza sativa (Rice)
• Favourable Conditions:
o Warm temperatures (25–35°C)
o High humidity and heavy rainfall
o Excessive nitrogen fertilizer application
• Symptoms:
o Water-soaked streaks on leaf margins that turn yellow and then brown
o Leaves may become blighted and dry out
o Wilting of seedlings (in severe cases)
o Blackened vascular bundles in affected leaves
• Control Measures:
o Use resistant rice varieties
o Balanced fertilizer use, avoid excess nitrogen
o Seed treatment with bactericides
o Remove and destroy infected plant debris
o Maintain proper water management and field sanitation
Disease 6: Tobacco Mosaic
• Causal Organism: Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)
• Host Plant: Nicotiana tabacum (Tobacco) and other solanaceous plants
• Favourable Conditions:
o Warm temperatures (20–30°C)
o Mechanical injury or handling spreads virus
o Presence of infected plant debris or tools
• Symptoms:
o Mosaic pattern of light and dark green patches on leaves
o Leaf curling, distortion, and stunted growth
o Reduced leaf size and yield
o Necrotic spots in severe cases
• Control Measures:
o Use virus-free seeds and resistant varieties
o Sanitize tools and hands during handling
o Remove and destroy infected plants promptly
o Crop rotation with non-host plants
o Avoid tobacco cultivation near infected fields
Disease 7: Cucumber Mosaic
• Causal Organism: Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)
• Host Plant: Cucumis sativus (Cucumber) and many other vegetables and ornamentals
• Favourable Conditions:
o Warm temperatures (20–30°C)
o Presence of aphid vectors for virus transmission
o Overcrowded planting and poor sanitation
• Symptoms:
o Mosaic pattern and mottling on leaves
o Leaf curling and distortion
o Stunted growth and reduced yield
o Fruit deformation and uneven ripening
• Control Measures:
o Use virus-free seeds and resistant varieties
o Control aphid populations with insecticides
o Remove and destroy infected plants
o Maintain field sanitation and crop rotation
o Use reflective mulches to deter aphids
Disease 8: Little Leaf of Brinjal
• Causal Organism: Phytoplasma spp. (formerly known as Mycoplasma-like organisms)
• Host Plant: Solanum melongena (Brinjal / Eggplant)
• Favourable Conditions:
o Warm and humid conditions
o Presence of leafhopper vectors (e.g., Hishimonus phycitis)
o Poor soil fertility and imbalanced nutrients
• Symptoms:
o Stunted growth with small, narrow, and leathery leaves
o Reduced leaf size, thickened and chlorotic leaves
o Flower and fruit abortion
o Overall plant decline and reduced yield
• Control Measures:
o Use disease-free planting material
o Control leafhopper vectors with insecticides
o Remove and destroy infected plants promptly
o Maintain proper nutrient management
o Practice crop rotation and weed control
