Bacterial Diseases in Mango

1. Bacterial Diseases in Mango Next End

2. Abstract • Generally two types of bacterial disease commonly observed in banana. One is Pseudomonas Wilt and another one is Erwinia Rot. Wilting of terminal leaves is the symptom of Pseudomonas Wilt. Disease can be minimized by exposing soil to sunlight.2, 4-D and 2, 4; 5-T can be used to kill infected plants. Erwinia rot is commonly known as soft rot of Rhizome. Yellowing and wilting of the leaves are the characteristic symptoms. Soil and plant drenching with bleaching powder at 2 g/l water at an interval of 10-15 days was found effective in controlling the erwinia rot. Next Previous End

3. There are two bacterial diseases in banana: • Pseudomonas Wilt • Erwinia Rot Pseudomonas wilt Symptoms: • This disease occurs in scattered plants or groups of plants. • The initial symptom is wilting of terminal leaves, followed in 2-3 days by a sudden and permanent wilt. • Adventitious roots may develop on the main stems. • Additional symptoms include vascular browning, water soaking of pith followed by browning, and in later stages browning of cortex near the soil line. Next Previous End

4. Bacteria streaming can be seen when a freshly cut stem is suspended in water. Mode of spread: • The pathogen survives in soil for extended periods without a host plant. • It enters roots through wounds, which may be caused by insects, nematodes, and cultivation. • High temperature and high soil moisture favor disease development. End Next Previous

5. Management practices: • Disease can be minimized by exposing soil to sunlight. • Selection of healthy planting material, eradication of infected plants. Disinfecting cutting knives and providing better drainage. • Flower visiting insects are main agents for transmitting the disease and this is good reason for following the practice of removing the bud from the male axis before the bunch matures. • Herbicides, e.g., 2, 4-D and 2, 4, 5-T, can be used to kill infected plants in situ and dieldrin sprayed onto a chopped down mat will prevent insects transmitting the disease to the unaffected plants. Next Previous End

6. Disease affected plants Infected fruit Infected stem Next Previous End

7. B.) Erwinia rot or soft rot of Rhizome- Erwiniaspp • This is a minor bacterial disease, but causing concern in West Bengal. Symptoms • It is characterized by a massive soft odorous rot of the centre or a portion of the rhizome. The rot progresses up the pseudostem destroying the growing point and causing internal decay often with vascular discoloration. • Externally, the symptoms sometimes resemble those of Fusarium wilt. • Yellowing and wilting of the leaves are the characteristic symptoms. Next Previous End

8. Management practices: Banana should not be grown along with onion and other vegetables. The soft rot pathogen load increases in such cropping system. • Soil drenching with bleaching powder was found beneficial. • Soil and plant drenching with bleaching powder at 2 g/l water at an interval of 10-15 days was found effective in controlling the disease. • Avoid planting during rainy season and in soils, which do not have good drainage. • Select infection free suckers for planting and should be trimmed to remove dead tissues. Next Previous End

9. To sum up • Pseudomonas wilt and Erwinia rot commonly noticed bacterial disease in banana. This disease diversely infest the growth of the plant. • Pseudomonas wilt – wilting of terminal leaves resulted permanent wilt of plant – exposing to sun light (control). • Erwinia rot: massive soft odorous of the centre or a portion of the rhizome – yellowing wilting of leaves – soil drenching with bleaching powder (control). Next Previous