PEST MANAGEMENT DECISION GUIDE: GREEN LIST

Phytophthora on durian
Phytophthora palmivora Root rot, stem rot, fruit rot
Prevention Monitoring Direct Control
l Phytophthora palmivora is a pathogen which can be spread by soil, water and l Symptoms: l An integrated management approach
wind l Leaf blight: Brown, water-soaked is needed to effectively manage the
l Use large planting material (LPM) resistant clones spots appear on leaves, often on disease: planting disease-tolerant
seedlings material (if available), orchard
l Use planting material from a certified source to ensure that it is disease-free management practices, biological
l Dieback of branches with leaves
l Establish good drainage since Phytohthora prefers moist conditions: control and use of appropriate
turning yellow chemicals.
l Plant in raised beds on flat to semi-flat land
l Patch/stem canker: a lesion on the
Phytophthora fruit rot of Durian l Construct drainage channels so that excess water can drain away
l Trichoderma harzianum can be
(Nilanka Herath, Department of bark and core of the trunk at the foot applied to the soil surface as a
Agriculture, Sri Lanka) l Space plants 8 x 8 m apart for medium-sized canopy varieties or 10 x 10 m of the tree. When cut, a watery gum- general antagonist of soil pathogens
apart for spreading canopy varieties so that the canopy does not overlap and like substance oozes from the lesion.
create humid conditions The lesion may enlarge and
l Prune the lowest branches to prevent the build up of humid conditions surround the entire trunk
l Stem rot: under very rainy and humid
l Apply organic fertilizer such as organic waste (e.g. chicken dung) to improve
tree health and resilience to disease conditions, stem canker may also
spread to large branches
l Apply lime to acidic soils to maintain a soil pH of 5.5-6.5. Apply lime within 30
l Root rot: roots turn brown and soft
Phytophthora fruit rot of Durian
cm of the soil surface radius of 1 m
l Immature/mature fruit rot: Watery
(Nilanka Herath, Department of l Avoid mechanical damage to the stems as injury makes plants more
Agriculture, Sri Lanka) susceptible to disease patches appear on the fruit surface
which then dry, enlarge and become
l Harvest manually or tie bags to branches to allow for natural fruit fall. Do not dark brown/black. A white cottony
allow fruit to fall to the ground in order to avoid damage. substance may grow on the lesions.
l Pick diseased fruits and prune diseased branches, and collect diseased plant Fruits may drop prematurely
parts that have fallen to the floor so they are not sources of inoculum. Dispose
of them by burning.

Phytophthora crown rot (H.J.

Note: Pesticides may be available to control this pest. Please check with the Ministry of Agriculture in your country to find out which pesticides are registered in your country and the local restrictions for their
use.

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