FUNGAL DISEASE (Foliar) : YELLOW SIGATOKA (Sigatoka Leaf Spot)

YELLOW SIGATOKA (Sigatoka Leaf Spot):

Symptoms:

In India, it is caused by Cercospora musae (C.musae), the asexual form of Mycosphaerella fijiensis.

• Symptoms start as tiny, yellow broken streaks followed by the development of brown spindle shape lesions in the streaked areas with a yellowish halo.
• Slowly lesions darken and become elliptical brown spots with a grayish centre demarcated by a well defined brown or black border.
•  These lesions coalesce and enlarge causing death of leaf blade.
• This results in reduced photosynthetic area and eventually reduced harvestable yield coupled with accelerated fruit maturity and immature ripening.

 Control Measures:

• Keep the orchard clean, remove the diseased leaves and burn outside the plantation. 
• Make proper drainage of water to avoid water logging. 
• Contact fungicide Mancozeb(2.5gm / lt) or Calixin (2ml/lt) with Teepol (Sticking agent ) must be sprayed during initial symptoms. 
• During severe infection Bavistin @ 2gm / lt or 0.1% Tilt can also be used and repeat at 15 days interval. 
• Increment in Potassium in the fertilizer dose and 6 feet X 6 feet spacing in plantation minimizes the infestation.

Posted in: 45. Fungal disease - Sigatoka Leaf Spot (Yellow Sigatoka)