Diseases and Management of Field and Medicinal Crops is a comprehensive guide prepared to meet the academic needs of students and teachers in the field of plant pathology and crop protection. The book is primarily based on class lectures delivered to post-graduate students and provides concise yet informative descriptions of major diseases affecting field and medicinal crops, with special reference to recent research and developments in India.
The content is structured to be clear and accessible, making it a useful resource for both learning and teaching. While every effort has been taken to present authentic and updated information, the author acknowledges that errors or omissions may occur and welcomes constructive suggestions from readers for further improvements.
In compiling this work, available literature and resources from renowned national and international organizations, including ICRISAT and IRRI, as well as various books, journals, and periodicals, have been utilized. The author expresses gratitude to all researchers and editors whose contributions form the foundation of this book.
The book “Diseases and Management of Field, Medicinal and Fodder Crops’’ is a little attempt to fulfill the needs of students and teachers. It is the compilation of class lectures by the author for post-graduate students with required information on diseases of field and medicinal crops. The descriptions are brief, informative with reference to recent work in India. Mistakes and omissions are expected to be found in the text. Hence teachers and students are requested to put forth their valuable comments and necessary suggestions for further improvements of the book.
RICE (Oryza sativa) Fungal diseases 1. Blast Symptoms: All above ground parts (leaf, leaf sheath, culm) of the plant are affected. There are three type of blasts (leaf blast, node blast, neck blast) Leaf blast: Eye or spindle shaped spots on leaves (margin is dark brown and centre becomes ashy) and leaf sheath are observed. Several spots appear on the leaves cause blightening.
FINGER MILLET (Eleusine coracana) Fungal diseases 1) Blast Symptoms: The above ground parts (leaf, leaf sheath, stems) of the plant exihibit the symptoms. The seedlings and adult plants are affected by the pathogen. Eye-shaped spots appear on leaf and leaf sheath having dark brown margin with ashy centre. These spots coalesce to form large patches and the leaves are blighted. Affected leaves wither prematurely and the seedlings may be killed. Lesions appear on the leaf blades, leaf sheaths and culms on adult plants and cause blightening.
GREEN GRAM (Vigna radiata) & BLACK GRAM (Vigna mungo) Fungal diseases 1) Seed and seedling rot Symptoms: The seeds rot before germination and after germination the seedlings also show rotting. The disease can be easily identified by poor germination and poor stand of the crop. Causal organisms i) Fusarium sp ii) Pythium sp iii) Rhizoctonia solani iv) Macrophomina phaseoli
GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogea) Fungal diseases 1) Collar rot Symptoms: The hypocotyls of germinating seeds are infected. The germinating seeds become covered with sooty black masses of spores. The infected tissues become dark brown and shredded. Necrosis and shredding of tissues may extend into branches. The organism is both soil borne and seed borne. Causal organism: Aspergillus niger Management i) Seed treatment with Carbendazim 50% WP @ 2-2. 5g/kg or Carboxin 37.5% WP +Thiram 37.5% WP @ 3gm/kg of seed. ii) Growing of resistant varieties like Smruti
COTTON (Gossypium spp) Fungal diseases 1) Damping off Symptoms: The seeds may rot. Initially the roots and hypocotyls become water soaked and pale green in colour. The hypocotyls become constricted above the soil level and seedlings fall down. Causal organism: Pythium aphanidermatum Management i) Seed treatment ii) Growing of resistant varieties. 2) Root rot Symptoms: Roots of infected plants rot and show shredding of the bark. The affected plants can be easily pulled out. Causal organism: Rhizoctonia solani
SUGARCANE (Saccharum officinarum) Fungal diseases 1) Red rot Symptoms: It is one of the most destructive disease of sugarcane. Dark reddish spot with brown margin appear along the mid rib. When the diseased canes are split open red blotches with transversely elongated white centres are seen. Under humid conditions numerous black dot like acervuli develop in the central discoloured portions. The diseased tissues emit a typical alcoholic odour. The juice of the affected stalks gives a sour alcoholic smell. Causal organism: Colletotrichum falcatum Management i) Select healthy and disease free setts. ii) Dip the setts on Carbendazim 50% WP or Thiophanate Methyl 70% WP @0.15% solution for 30 minutes before planting. iii) Avoid rationing of infested crops. iv) Growing resistant/tolerant varieties, i.e. Co6907, Co 7219, Co838,
MINT (Mentha sp) Fungal diseases 1. Stolon Rot Symptoms: Yellowing of leaves is observed at early stage of infection. In later stage wilting of plants are noticed followed by drying of the entire plants. Causal organism: Macrophomina phaseoli Management i) Stolons should be collected from healthy fields. ii) Use of healthy and disease free stolons for planting. ii) Treatment of stolons with Metalaxyl 8% + Mancozeb 64% WP (0.3%) before planting. 2. Rust Symptoms. In the spring or summer season the leaves and upper portion of stems are affected and become twisted. Yellow/ dusty orange pustules appear on the leaves and stems. In later part the pustules become black. Drying of leaves followed by defoliation occur.
BERSEEM CLOVER (Trifolium alexandrinum) Fungal diseases i) Damping-off Symptoms Pre-emergence damping-off: Seeds decay inside the soil. Post-emergence damping-off: Sometimes after germination water-soaked blighted seedlings develop. Seedlings collapse and wilt. Stem and root tissues rot below the soil surface. Causal organism i) Pythium spinosum var. spinosum ii) Rhizoctonia solani Favourable condition i) Promoted by high humidity ii) Poor air circulation.
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