SAM HIGGINBOTTOM UNIVERSITY

OF AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY
AND SCIENCES

PLPT – 414

ASSIGNMENT 1 – DISEASES OF PLUM, ALMOND AND WALNUT

SUBMITTED TO: DR SUNIL ZACHARIA

SUBMITTED BY: DEBJYOTI MANDAL ID- 19BSHORH049
06/09/2020
  PLUM

 DISEASE NAME : 1) WILT

 ORGANISM RESPONSIBLE : Verticillium albo-
atrum

 ETIOLOGY :
 Septate mycelia, V – shaped conidiophore on which
single celled conidia is formed.
 PSI: Dormant mycelia
 SSI: Conidia (unicellular)

 SYMPTOMS :
 The infected limbs get defoliated in early summer.
 The declining symptoms are first seen on the lower
branches.
 Roots of infected plants turn brown and die.
 No partial wilt but lower leaves show yellowing
symptoms that occurs at flowering and fruiting stage.
 Complete loss depending upon seveitrty of infection.
 V – Shaped yellowing of leaf margin.

 MODE OF SPREAD :
 Warm weather, prefers alkaline PH and more severe in
black clay soil; temperature-28°- 290 C and RH-80-85%.
 Low soil moisture, fungal and nematode infested soil
favours occurrence of the disease.

 MANAGEMENT OF DISEASE :
 Cut and burn the infected plant parts.
 Treat seeds with Carbendizine
 Apply carbendizine @ 1.5 gm/liter as soil drenching.
 Neutralize soil PH by gypsum application
  Uproot initially infected plants and burn.
 High potassium and low Nitrogen application in the
soil.
 Application of Bavistin at the rate of 1.5 g / liter as
soil drenching & Trichoderma viridae reduce the
disease incidence.

2) LEAF CURL

 ORGANISM RESPONSIBLE : Taphrina deformans

 ETIOLOGY :
Mycelia are intercellular and do not produce ascocarp.
Asci are produced individually and measure 25- 40 x 8 - 11
µm.
Each ascus bears eight ascospores with a diameter of 3 to 7
µm.

 SYMPTOMS :

 The disease first appears in early spring as the leaves

begin to unfold.
 The leaf blade thickens, midrib turns yellow and curls.
 Finally the infected leaf turns to reddish purple tint.
 The reddish velvety surface of lamina is soon covered
with a whitish grey bloom of the fungus on the upper
surface.

 MODE OF SPREAD :

 The disease is prevalent in areas where cool, misty spring

weather prevails and the dry hot weather hastens
defoliation.
PSI: Dormant mycelia in affected stem.
SSI: Air borne conidia.

 MANAGEMENT OF DISEASE :
  Removal and burning of infected shoots reduce spread of
the disease.
A dormant spray of Bordeaux mixture (6:10:100) with an
adhesive or sticker and a winter spray with Bordeaux
mixture (1.2%) before bud burst control the disease.

3) BACTERIAL LEAF SPOT

 ORGANISM RESPONSIBLE : Xanthomonas

syringae pv. pruni

 ETIOLOGY :
 The black tip symptoms are the result of small, somewhat
inconspicuous, half-inch to 3-inch water-soaked, gummy
spring cankers that girdle twigs, causing tip dieback.
 Bacteria spread from spring cankers by splashing rain and
insects and will eventually cause bacterial spot symptoms
on leaves.

 SYMPTOMS
 It is most commonly observed in nursery stages.
 The disease appears on leaf surface as angular dark
brown spots of 0.5to 3.0 mm diameter.
 The lesions are bordered by light, yellowish green
halo.
 In severe condition, leaves turn yellow and drop.

 MODE OF SPREAD

 Early infections can result in deeper pitting of the fruit.

A few weeks before harvest, fruit become more
susceptible to bacterial spot infection, however,
symptoms are more superficial
 Bacterial spot multiplication in leaves is favored by wet
conditions that cause water congestion in plant tissue
(Zehr et al). Rains, dew and high relative humidity
assist bacterial entry into plants and multiplication.
 Spread and entry of the bacterial spot pathogen into
plants is favored by abrasions and nicks caused by
blowing sand, especially on outside peach rows
 adjacent to field roads. High wind speeds from sprayers
may also help to spread bacterial spot.

 MANAGEMENT OF DISEASE

 Cut and burn the infected plant parts.

 Aerial spray of streptocycline (0.5 g/liter).

4) LINE PATTERN :
  ORGANISM RESPONSIBLE : Plum American
line pattern virus.

 ETIOLOGY :

 Particles are quasi-isometric, and of four different

sizes (26, 28, 31 and 33 nm)
 Corresponding to different sedimentation
coefficients

 SYMPTOMS :
 Yellow vein banding in part or whole of the leaf
lamina.
 Chlorosis of the entire leaf with stunting of plants.
 Some times green stamen petiole show chlorosis.
 Old branches exhibit aerial rotting.
 Chlorotic spots on ripened fruits.

 MODE OF SPREAD :

 Through grafting materials

 Aphid vectors.

 MANAGEMENT OF DISEASE :

 Use disease free planting materials.

 Exposing planting materials at 37°C for 15-39 days.
(Physical method of control)

 Apricot seedlings can be used as resistant root stock

against plum line pattern virus.

 ALMOND
 DISEASE NAME : 1)BOTRYOSPHAERIA
CANKER

 ORGANISM RESPONSIBLE : fungus

Botryosphaeria dothidea
 ETIOLOGY
• Nut crops are affected by many fungal pathogens, which
can reduce their productivity dramatically
• members of the Botryosphaeriaceae and
Diatrypaceae families have been reported associated with
branch and trunk canker diseases on almond, pistachio and
walnut crops

 SYMPTOMS

§ Early stages of white or bot rot on fruit; fruit lesions begin

as small spots with red margins
§ Botryosphaeriadothidea (canker of almond); early stages
of white or bot rot on fruit;
§ Fruit lesions begin as small spots with red margins.
 MODE OF SPREAD

• fungi can invade their host either by intracellular

mycelia, which directly grow through the cells, or by
intercellular mycelia, which grow between the cells.
• On the other hand, plant pathogenic bacteria invade
the plant tissues via intercellular way, and cause
vascular wilts.

 MANAGEMENT OF DISEASE :

• Pruning should be conducted during dry weather to

reduce risk of inoculum spread on wounds,
improving the ventilation in the canopy, and
eliminate inoculum sources of the pathogen.
• Wide variability exists in the resistance response
among pistachio and almond cultivars to the
pathogens.
• Information about walnut resistance is more limited,
although all Californian cultivars are susceptible.
  2) BROWN ROT BLOSSOM

 ORGANISM RESPONSIBLE : Monilinia

fructicola

 ETIOLOGY :

 two types of spores are produced in spring which can

infect blossoms. Conidia are produced on cankers and fruit
mummies on the tree.
 Conidia are produced on cankers and fruit mummies on
the tree.
 Spores produced on blighted blossoms provide a source of
infection for ripening fruit.
 SYMPTOMS :

 the blooms wither and drop. This is followed by twig

death.
 this disease not only weakens the tree, but also decreases
the crop yield. If the tree is infected.
 remove all infected parts of the almond with sterile
pruning shears. Also, remove any debris from beneath the
tree, as this fungus overwinters in such detritus.

 MODE OF SPREAD

 The brown rot fungus produces spores from infected fruit

mummies on the orchard floor and left in the tree, twig
cankers on the branches, and on any remnants of infected
flower parts. These spores are transported by wind or rain
splashes.

 MANAGEMENT OF DISEASE
 Practice good sanitation in the garden. Always water at the
base of the tree, never overhead. If you must prune, do so
after harvest in fall. Remember that any pruning you do is
disturbing the cambium layer and raising the risk of
infection, especially if done before or after a rainfall.

 3) ANTHRACNOSE
 ORGANISM RESPONSIBLE : Colletotrichum
acutatum
 ETIOLOGY :
 Pink spore masses are visible at the center of an older
blackish spot.
 Conidia- single celled (10-15 µm in length and 5-7 µm in
width) hyalin, slightly curved, ovoid to oblong
 Acervuli- waxy and subepidermal with simple
conidiophores
 SYMPTOMS :
Infected leaves produce abnormal colors and patterns with
dark, necrotic, angular, or irregular areas.
Dieback and discoloration with gummosis and resinosis
occurs on infected stems. Sometimes, cankers are also
seen in the infected stem.
Fungal sporulation forms acervuli, a pinkish pinhead-sized
structure, when humidity is high.
 MODE OF SPREAD :
The fungus primarily colonizes damaged and senescent
tissue and often grows as saprophyte on dead tissues.
Short distance spore dispersal occurs by air currents, rain
splash, overhead irrigation, and heavy dew. Spore
deposition on young leaves and fruits is followed by
colonization. Sexual spores, although produced in
comparatively less number, are airborne and thus
contribute to long distance spread.
High temperature and high humidity are favorable for the
growth of the pathogen. Germination of the spores
requires high relative humidity. Only when the moisture
content is highest, are acervuli able to release spores.

 MANAGEMENT OF DISEASE :

 Use disease free certified seeds and healthy transplants.

 Disposal of the infected plants and rotten fruits properly.
 Carry out regular weeding and timely pruning of the
infected plant parts.
 Treat the seed in hot water if using own seed.
 Improve air circulation by providing adequate spacing
during planting.
 4) LEAF RUST

 ORGANISM RESPONSIBLE :
Tranzschelia discolor

 ETIOLOGY :
The fungus has multiple spore stages, which develop on
two different hosts (alternate hosts).
The different spore stages are urediniospores, teliospores,
basidiospores and aeciospores. Only urediospores and
teliospores are found on Prunus sp.
The single celled, rusty brown urediniospores are
produced on peach and can re-infect peaches.
This secondary infection and additionally spore production
and reinfection causes epidemic damages on peach. The
teliospores, which develope late in the season on peach are
not able to reinfect peach. After overwintering, the
 teliospores germinate and produce basidiospores that
infect the alternate host Anemone coronaria.

 SYMPTOMS :
Twig cankers are the first symptoms in the spring. This
cankers develop after petal fall in spring during fruit
development on one year old wood. Symptoms are seen as
blisters and longitudinal splits in the bark
Leaf lesions develop usually after cankers form in spring
and may continue till autumn. Defoliation can occur when
high numbers of infections are on single leaves. First
infected leaves are in close to the twig cankers (infection
source). Lesions develop as pale yellowish green spots
visible on both leaf surfaces.
Fruit lesions develop during growing season after the
symptoms of the leaves. Firstly brownish spots with green
halos on mature, yellow fruits are seen.

 MODE OF SPREAD :
 Urediniospores are dispersed by wind and rainfall.
They germinate over a wide temperature range from 5°C
to 30°C with an optimal temperature range of 10-25°C.
The viability of inoculum and wetness are major factors
for determination infection periods.
 Leaf and twig infections can occurr over a wide range
of wetness period (12 to 36hours) and temperatures (15 to
25°C). Under controlled conditions the optimal wetness
duration and temperature for infection was 18 to 36 hours
at 15°C to 20°C. The incubation period after infection is 8
 to 10 days, whereas the incubation period for twig
symptoms is 4 to 6 weeks at 20°C.

 MANAGEMENT OF DISEASE :

 begin applications prior to disease onset when conditions

are conducive for disease. Apply Quadris on a 14-21 day
schedule making no more than two sequential applications
before alternating to another fungicide with a non-Qol
(mode of action.
 If monitoring or history indicates the presence of
Alternaria, apply 14 fl oz/A of Quadris Top in the late
spring (mid-April to beginning of May) and then repeat
treatment two to three weeks later.

 WALNUT
 DISEASE NAME : 1) ANTHRACNOSE

 ORGANISM RESPONSIBLE : Gnomonia leptostyla

 ETIOLOGY :

<5 mm in diameter, surrounded by small that had fully

expanded at the time of inoculation. An
chlorotic halos. Small (<2 mm), black, necrotic flecks
aqueous suspension of conidia was standardized to 5.0 X
form on the fruit. The pathogen overwinters primarily on
104 conidia/ ml with a hemacytometer. One ml of
foliar debris, and ascospores are the primary inoculum in
suspension was brushed onto both surfaces of each
the spring. The conidia serve to intensify the disease
compound leaf. Each seedling was covered with a plastic
 during the summer.
 SYMOTOMS :
Brown to black lesions on leaves, petioles, shoots and/or
husks which fade toward the center and may be surrounded
by a chlorotic halo; spots may coalesce to form large necrotic
patches, usually located close to leaf margins; lesions on
shoots, petioles and leaf midribs become elongated and
sunken.

 MODE OF SPREAD :

 The effect of temperature on infection and disease was

investigated in controlled environment chambers at 5, 10,
15, 21, 27, 31 C a 16 hour daily photoperiod.
 Free moisture is also responsible for this infection.

 MANAGEMENT OF DISEASE :

 Control of anthracnose in pistachio relies on the

application of appropriate fungicide sprays; cultural
practices can help to reduce the severity of the disease and
include: removing leaf debris from around plants, avoiding
wetting foliage when irrigating, spacing trees adequately
to increase air circulation and applications of nitrogen
fertilizer in Spring to delay leaf maturity and reduce the
development of lesions
 2) ARMILLARIA ROOT ROT(OAK ROOT
FUNGUS)

 ORGANISM RESPONSIBLE : Armillaria mellea

 ETIOLOGY :

 The basidiocarp of each has a smooth cap 3 to 15 cm (1 to

6 in) in diameter, convex at first but becoming flattened
with age often with a central raised umbo, later becoming
somewhat dish-shaped. The margins of the cap are often
arched at maturity and the surface is sticky when wet.
Though typically honey-coloured, this fungus is rather
variable in appearance and sometimes has a few dark,
hairy scales near the centre somewhat radially arranged.
  SYMPTOMS :
Small, discolored leaves which drop early; death of branches;
death of plant; clusters of honey-colored mushrooms may
sprout at base of plant.

 MODE OF SPREAD :
 Shoestring root rot is caused by the fungus Armillaria
mellea .Rhizomorphs enable the fungus to move from an
infected tree to an adjacent healthy one, while vegetative
mycelium primarily enables local infection
to spread within a tree's root system.

 MANAGEMENT OF DISEASE :
Armillaria root rot cannot be effectively controlled once it
has become established in an orchard; diseased or dead
plants should be uprooted and removed; planting resistant
rootstocks is the most effective method of preventing the
disease.

 3) BLACKLINE DISEASE
 ORGANISM RESPONSIBLE : Cherry leaf roll virus
(CLRV – W)

 ETIOLOGY :

CLRV can cause decline as a single infection, this virus

found in combination with the pollen-transmitted Prune
dwarf virus (PDV) or Prunus necrotic ringspot
virus (PNRSV), of the genus Ilarvirus in the family
Bromoviridae, induces more severe and rapid decline.

 SYMPTOMS :
 Gradual reduction in tree vigor; leaves are yellow and
drooping; defoliation occurs prematurely and is followed
by dieback of terminal shoots; small holes or cracks may
be present at the graft union and underlying tissue may be
discolored.

 MODE OF SPREAD :

 CLRV is transmitted by vegetative multiplication of

oinfected hosts and is also seed- and pollen-transmitted
(both horizontally and vertically) in many of its hosts.
 There is, however, evidence that interspecific transmission
by the pollen-mediated mechanism is very llimited
 CLRV can spread through efficient seed- and pollen-
mediated transmission
 mechanisms and through the movement of vegetatively
propagated plants for planting of numerous hosts.

 MANAGEMENT OF DISEASE :

Introduction of the disease to uninfested areas can be

prevented by using virus-free graft and budwood from
English walnut; in areas where the disease is uncommon,
immediate removal of trees identified as being infected
can prevent spread.
 4) WALNUT BLIGHT
 ORGANISM RESPONSIBLE : Xanthomonas
campestris

 ETIOLOGY :
 The xanthomonads are gram negative, flagellated, rod
shaped, non-spore forming bacteria producing
characteristic yellow colored pigments called
xanthomonadins. Another distinct feature of this group is
the production of copious amounts of extracellular
polysaccharide.
  SYMPTOMS :
Small, water-soaked spots on immature fruit which darken
and rapidly enlarge; bacterial exudate may be present during
wet weather; if infection occurs prior to shell hardening then
the kernels shrivel; infections which occur later may cause
kernel discoloration but the fungus does not usually invade
the kernel; catkins which become infected are are dark and
shrivelled; new shoots may also be attacked and lesions may
girdle the stem, killing the shoot above; lesions may form
on tree bark and may also extend into the pith causing
cankers to form; lesions on leaves are brown with a green-
yellow perimeter; leaf lesions may coalesce to form large
necrotic areas.

 MODE OF SPREAD :
the pathogen can easily be spread by splashing water,
there is a high risk of spreading it by overhead irrigation
systems during the raising of cabbage transplants. In
glasshouse experiments, the efficacy of different methods
to reduce XCC dispersal and subsequent black rot
development during the raising of transplants were
examined.

 MANAGEMENT OF DISEASE :

The primary method of controlling walnut blight is the

application of copper containing bactericides such as
Bordeaux mixture; bactericides should be applied weekly to
protect new growth during periods of wet weather